HADFIELD CARNIVAL - full details

Hadfield Carnival 2009 features the American Civil War Society

This year's Hadfield Carnival, which takes place Sunday June 7th on Newshaw Lane, starts with a Parade at 12.00am from Newshaw Lane Park, with Arnfield Brass, striking up the band and leading the procession.


The afternoon's entertainment include a pet show, fairground rides, Punch & Judy, a bucking broncho, childrens races and a coconut shy. There will be music from local bands, Rapture, Steve Roberts, Ben Stafford, Chordwainer and Daughter of Janus.


The theme and focus of the carnival will be a re-enactment of a Civil War Battle, courtesy of the American Civil War Society, replete with cannon and musket fire. It is advised that animals should therefore be kept well away once the pet show has finished.


There will also be craft stalls, a cake competition and a Tug of War Competition to end the days events. The timetable is as follows:

12.00am - Parade
12.30pm - Pet Show plus local bands commence playing.
1.30pm - Children's races.
2.30pm - Civil War Re-enactment.

Hope you can make it and that the rain stays off. Should be fun.

HADFIELD CARNIVAL - Sunday June 7th

CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO ENLARGE

The carnival season has begun which can only mean that Summer is just around the corner. In fact it's been such a glorious weekend that maybe, just maybe, it's already begun in earnest but don't say it too loudly.

Next Sunday June 7th is the date for the Hadfield Carnival, so put it in your diary and keep a few hours spare in the afternoon. The fun commences at midday and the theme for this year is the Wild West. Anyone bringing pets along to the Pet Show (from 12.30pm) are advised that it would be wise to take them home soon afterwards due to the fact that there will be noise (presumably from replica guns) which can be quite loud and scary for some animals.

I should mention that there will be a parade from Newshaw Lane at 11.30pm and that there will be fun for all the family but no need to say anymore as the leaflet says it all really and there is a contact number at the foot of the leaflet, in case of any queries. See you there.

'New' Skateboard Park At Newshaw Lane

The news that HPBC's Development & Control Committee approved the recommendation to site a skateboard park within recreation ground on Newshaw Lane is good or bad news according to your age and where you happen to live but in principle seems to be a good news story for Hadfield.

It was passed by eight votes to nil with one abstention on 11th August, at the same meeting as the Brookside Bungalow application was turned down. The equipment is not new but has been transferred from Manor Park.

Now whilst the likes of yours truly may experience some additional 'noise pollution' from the park, it is to be hoped that the screening to be provided will adequately compensate residents on Shawfield Road and Lower Bank Close.

The existing fencing which belongs to the council and is their responsibility to repair, has been in a serious state of disrepair for years but they have steadfastly refused to contribute anything towards its maintainence. The other benefit which will arise is the laying of a footpath from the skatepark to Newshaw Lane in place of a mudbath.

There have been attempts in the past to get some sort of crossing or traffic calming put in place on Newshaw Lane, to help slow down vehicles as they approach the chicane but in the past such demands have fallen on deaf ears. With the expected increase in pedestrian traffic as a result of the skatepark, future attempts may meet with more success, which may prove to be another positive by-product of the skatepark.

For full details of the application and a diagram of the plans, click here: here

Hadfield Parks Improvement Project

If you live near any of the parks on Bankswood, Newshaw Lane or the play area at Brosscroft then you will have recieved a form inviting comments on how all three play areas can be improved.

The reason for this is that HPBC have been awarded funding from the BIG Lottery to improve play areas across the borough. Consequently, the Council will be refurbishing Newshaw Lane and Bankswood Park Play Areas over the next few months.

They have also secured funding from Johnnie Johnson Housing for the Brosscroft site and have a bid to the Youth Opportunities Fund for this site still pending.

Sally Curley, the Parks Development Officer is the contact at HPBC should you want further info. There will be a chance to meet her team and ask questions at a Drop-In event on Thursday 15th May at Hadfield Youth Centre between 6pm and 8pm.

Personally I have no idea where Hadfield Youth Centre is, nor do any of my neighbours but several people I have asked and also a member of staff at HPBC suggested they thought it is at the school site on Newshaw Lane. More specifically the first annex on the right as you approach the school - where they sometimes hold elections. So unless you know better we'll assume that's the venue.

My comments are signed, sealed and delivered but there is just one comment that I would like to share with you. Whilst its nice for some money to be spent on the kids and they certainly need to have some play activities, isn't it a shame that it only happens as a result of begging to other organisations? Are our kids not deemed worthy of spending some of our Council Tax on? After all, it is in large part the parents of the children who are paying the Tax!