Highway safety – Many thanks to all of you who regularly keep your hedges and trees cut back from the highway, and keep our roads clean and safe to use by cleaning up after you. For those few who are unaware of your responsibilities you need to know that the cutting back of highway hedges and trees is the responsibility of the landowner or occupier on whose land the hedges/trees are growing. Landowners/occupiers must ensure that their hedges/trees do not interfere with the safe use of public footways and roadways or obscure road signs. It is also the responsibility of the adjacent landowner to clear roadside ditches and to clean up mud and debris you have spilled on the highway. An accident attributable to overhanging vegetation exposes the owner or occupier, responsible for the hedges/trees, to a claim from the injured or damaged party which could be substantial. An accident attributable to mud and debris that you have spilled or caused to run on to the road will also expose you to potentially costly claims. Concerned about your oil security? ‘Stop That Oil’ is an anti-crime initiative and includes Beaminster Crime Prevention unit, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and local OFTEC registered oil installers. It has been established to provide security advice and encourage the installation of affordable alarms on oil tanks. For further advice contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team, PC Chris Forshaw or PC Tim Poole, on 01305 222222 Security Alert – A man calling himself Tom and purporting to belong to the Crime
Protection Organisation has been phoning residents asking them to donate sums of money to help the fight against rural crime. As the police and associated organisations would never do this it is obviously another scam, so remember NEVER give your bank details over the phone (unless you are 100% sure to whom you are talking ) and if you feel uneasy about any call end it immediately. Missing Signs – if anybody within the Parish knows of any missing footpath signs (where the Right of Way leaves the road) please contact the Parish Footpaths office, Ray Dickerson with details so that we can get them replaced. Tel: 01963 210292 or email rockysardine@yahoo.co.uk The next High Stoy Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 14th December at 7.30pm in Hermitage Village Hall – you are most welcome to attend.
Blessing of the Crib Candlelight Carol Service to be held at
St Nicholas Church, Hilfield on 23 December at 6pm to be followed by
Mulled Wine and Mince Pies at Pond Farm 12