Coming out of this has been the Doxey film. This will be shown

Chris Stone, the winner of the Special Achievement Award in last year's 5 Minute Film Competition in Stafford, was commissioned to make a series of short films inspired by people and places around Stafford Borough.

Chris and a team of young film makers attended the film roadshows as they toured Doxey, Gnosall, Eccleshall, Holmcroft and Stone earlier this year. They met local residents and listened to their stories.

The Village Films that the team made subsequently provide a moving insight into the everyday life of these communities.

If you have problems with transport, we can help. Please call 01785 619296 for more details.

The Doxey Youth Forum continues to consider ideas for making better provision for young people – especially the older age range – in Doxey. Their priority is erection of a "leisure barn" – a sheltered area which could be used for a variety of activities for people of all ages. The original idea was to explore use of undeveloped land by the main road, between numbers 128 and 134. However, it now seems that the availability of that land will be in question for too long. The aim is to use part of the play area at the end of Greensome Close.

The Youth Forum is aware that this is only one of the issues around provision for young people in Doxey. They feel that the time has come for the people of Doxey to get together to discuss what other things might be done, including how to get the best out of the play area.

A public meeting has been arranged for

All residents of Doxey – particularly young people – will be welcome.

Your MP and County and Borough Councillors have been invited. So come along to tell them what you think should be done. Where are the gaps in provision and what are the priorities?

Sunday, 7th November

from 1.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

at the Sutton Community Centre, Sutton Drive

IF YOU DON’T WANT IT,

DON’T USE IT,

AND WANT TO GET IT OUT OF YOUR HOME -

WHY NOT BRING IT TO THE SUTTON CENTRE AND LET SOMEONE ELSE PUT IT TO GOOD USE ?

SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN RECYCLED AT PREVIOUS CLEAR OUT DAYS:

WHY JUST BIN IT WHEN OTHERS CAN PUT IT TO GOOD USE ?

SAVE ON THE TRIP TO THE TIP –

-RECYCLING MAKES SENSE -

HELP TO MAKE IT WORK BY BRINGING YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS TO THE SUTTON CENTRE ON – NOVEMBER 7TH –

~YOU MAY FIND SOMETHING YOU WANT~

Doxey Pre-school Playgroup is looking for someone to work some sessions at the Playgroup. It doesn’t matter how long ago you qualified. We welcome applications from people of all ages. If you are interested please write a letter of application to: The Playgroup Committee, Doxey Church Centre, Doxey, Stafford ST16 1EQ. You can put it in the letter box by the church front door. For further information call 248383.

Most readers will have seen in the local papers that Doxey is set to get its own parish council, following submission of a petition earlier this year.

The Office of the Deputy Primer Minister – which deals with local government – has agreed in principle that there should be a parish council for Doxey. Letters to this effect have been sent to Doxey Community Association and to Stafford Borough Council. Details of how the council will be set up and operate are now awaited. In particular, we have yet to be informed of when the council will start work.

This may be as early as next year, so this is a good time for residents of Doxey to start thinking about who they would like to represent them on the parish council or whether they would like to become members themselves. The matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the Community Association – on 13 October – when steps will be taken to ensure that the people of Doxey are kept informed.

The Doxey Parish Council will have many formal powers. It will enable people to have a greater say in what goes on in their community and a better chance for changes in the locality to meet local needs.

It looks like the Council will shortly be filling in the holes in the play area at the end of Greensome Close. There will be some resiting of the football pitch to allow the damaged area to recover. The pitch will also be marked out. There should be plenty of space for BMX riders without them having to go over the football pitch.

Note: It is still illegal for any motorised bike to be ridden on this area. The police have powers to take away bikes from any offenders and a number of people have already had warnings.

It is still worthwhile getting in touch with your local councillors to tell them your views about provision for young people, either on this site or elsewhere in Doxey. Call Adam Tedstone on 712243 or Peter Goodland on 245670. There is likely to be some formal consultation on this matter. Also, there is to be a public meeting. See the story on "Facilities for young people in Doxey".

This is an opportunity for everyone from whatever church – or none – to get together to worship God and pray for their community. At the meeting in September we set a provisional date of

Saturday, 13 November

Watch out for posters and flyers for confirmation. For more information, or if you would like to be involved in planning, ring Helen on 248383.

We’ve not had bonfire night, yet, and Christmas may seem a long way off, but preparations are already being made for the Doxey Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner. This time it will be a bit earlier in December, so you will need to reserve your place in November. The details are:

Saturday, 4 December

in the evening

A lift can be provided if you need one. There will be a tear-off slip in the next issue of Doxey Times for you to reserve your place. If you need any other information call Mark on 604233.

The next meeting of Doxey Community Association will be held

on Wednesday, 13 October

at 7.00 p.m.

in the community centre, Sutton Drive

All Doxey Residents will be welcome. On the agenda there will be

Discussion of what the Community Association should do to prepare for the new parish council

Provision for young people

Outings to be organised by the Community Association

Post office services

Subsequent meetings of the Association are on the second Wednesday each month. Same time, same place

We have a new vicar coming to Doxey in November. His name is Paul Thomas and he is coming from York with his family. As well as working here he will be spending half the week in a job around the Diocese. There will be a service of induction on

Wednesday, 24 November

To which everyone is welcome. More details later.

A litter bin has been installed in Doxey. This one is on the play area at the end of Greensome Close. These are helping us to keep our village tidy and it is good to see the bins being used. There is less litter in Doxey than there used to be, but not everyone uses the bins. Please encourage these people to put their litter in the bin rather than drop it on the ground.

If people use the bin on the playing field it will be more pleasant and safer to use. This goes for the rest of Doxey as well. There is now a good supply of litter bins throughout the locality. Hold on to your litter until you pass one rather than just throwing it on the ground. Do we really want the place to look a mess?

If you know of anyone who would like a printed version of this fuller version of Doxey Times, call 251622.