Monthly Archives: March 2009

Interim flood defences in Hedon

Image by Andy Beecroft

Burstwick Drain by Andy Beecroft

The Environment Agency has commissioned some work on Burstwick Drain in Hedon to raise the bank at low points, and build flood walls where necessary, as part of a wider £2m project to strengthen flood defences aimed principally at protecting Burstwick which was hit hard by the floods in July 2007.

At Hedon Haven pipes will be installed so that pumps to remove water at high tide when the gates are closed can be operated more quickly during a flood.

The Agency has emphasised that the work is “an interim measure while a long term plan is devised.”

Peter Holmes, the Environment Agency’s Flood Risk Manager, has stated:

“The flood issues around Hedon and South Holderness are extremely complex and we are working with other organisations to look at different ways to help people.

“However, this work requires consultation, and planning, before detailed design and construction can begin which can take many years. We wanted to put something in place to help people in Hedon and Burstwick now while a more permanent option is developed.

The work is expected to start soon and will be finished by the onset of winter.

Source: Environment Agency News Release

Image: Andy Beecroft as part of the Geograph Project.

Power cut in Hedon

The town was hit by a power cut yesterday for approximately over an hour (8:00pm – 9:10pm’ish).

Torches, candles…. and living without electricity was quite an adventure for the first 10 minutes. But then thoughts turn to those young and older people who find such events distressing.

The traditional news media have not yet picked up on the story. But the Hedon Blog will bring you the information on the causes as soon as it can!

No Cold Calling Zones

Sample Notice - Police supported scheme

Sample Notice - Police supported scheme

This is an idea that has been taken up in Hull and perhaps might work in Hedon?

The purpose of ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ is for residents in a particular area to actively discourage unwelcome visits to their homes by traders who ‘cold call’ looking for business – and specifically it is about deterring rogue traders and doorstep criminals. The majority of people do not want traders calling un-announced and are usually able to contact traders when they need work doing.

The scheme works by the residents involved putting up signs in their area and/or notices on their doors. All the residents in a street or cul-de-sac need to be involved and willing to display the notices and not open their doors to or buy from cold callers and to double-check the identities of expected callers. They need the confidence to tell cold callers to leave as the area is a no cold calling zone.

For a scheme to be successful then it would need to be established with the support of local police, council and Neighbourhood Watch Group or Residents Association where these exist.

More information is available from the Trading Standards Institute in their document Doorstoppers: Setting up NO Cold-Calling Zones.

If there is local interest in this idea then leave a comment below.

Facial reconstruction course

Perhaps a bit obscure this to the uninitiated – but just goes to prove that you can do almost any activity in Hedon!

The Holderness Country Club (the community building in the over-55s retirement complex in Drapers Lane) is hosting a course on “Facial Reconstruction”.

The Holderness Gazette reports that the course is a mixture of theory and practical sessions and will look at case studies plus 2-dimensional and 3-dimesional approaches to reconstruction. This includes making a 3D model!

The course takes place next Friday 20th and Saturday 21st March 2009 from 9.30am – 3.30pm. Ring 01482-897534 for more information.

Source: Holderness Gazette

Pleasant Peasants and Pubs in Hedon

Pleasant Peasants

Pleasant Peasants

Residents in Hedon are adequately served by six local pubs and a club.  We have sampled the delights of the Queens Quiz Night on a Tuesday evening and the smaller, intimate settings of The Station for its Friday evening quiz.

However, Saturday 14th March 2009 saw us venture over the border into Hull to listen to The Peasants at the Sportsman Bar next to Hull Prison.

The Peasants are a 5-piece band that play well-known songs but give them their own innovative twist by blending in the strings of a mandolin. It works – and makes for a brilliant sound. You can listen to this by visiting the bands MySpace website.

The Duffs are certainly new fans of both the Peasants and the Sportsman.

St Augustine’s Church, Hedon – JigZone Puzzle – Just for fun!

Our jigsaw this week is taken from a striking photograph of St Augustine’s Church in Hedon. The photo was taken by Andy Beecroft as a contribution towards the Geograph project.

Click the image to play the puzzle. This is a hard one! (You need to have Java enabled on your browser).

Click to Mix and Solve

For more puzzles visit the Jigsaw Player.

Mail Clampdown on the Clampers

clampers-mail-logo

Lots of interest in parking issues lately from the Hull Daily Mail. The local Media giant has previously launched a campaign – perhaps seen by some as controversial – against parking charges being proposed by East Riding Council.

Now however – to almost universal delight – they have taken on the clampers! Yes – the local clampers who attach a big yellow clamp to your car wheel and then charge £100 to have it taken off and £250 if a tow truck is called are being tackled!

If people feel they have been unfairly treated by clamping firms, then they can ring a CLAMPING HOTLINE on 01482 315267 and get their case highlighted.

The Mail has also successfully convinced local businesses and organisations not to employ over-zealous clamping firms.

Follow the Mail’s Clampers News as it unravels at www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/clampers

Have any ‘clamping’ stories come to light in Hedon? Please leave a comment and let us know!

Street Light not working? – please report it!

st-augustines-at-night-copyStreet lights are something we all take for granted. Yet when they do not work, the ‘dark places’ can cause fear. That well-lit and trusted path can become a place to avoid; the road can become a potential accident spot. Indeed, they can be hiding places for criminals!

The absence of good quality lighting can deter some people from leaving their homes – older people in particular, or those who are infirm can become prisoners in their own homes on an evening.

So do us all a favour – if you see a street light that is not working then please report it!

The East Riding Council maintains over 39,000 street lights and relies on members of the public to report those that are not working (or those that stay on in the daylight). You can report faults at:

Streetscene services
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Beverley depot
Annie Reed Road
Beverley
HU17 0LF
Tel: 01482 395740
Fax: 01482 395059
Email: lamp.lighter@eastriding.gov.uk

Or online at the East Riding Council at: ERYC – Street Lighting

Image: Andy Beecroft as part of the Geograph Project