Category Archives: Parish Council

45 years service to our Parish Council


When Tom Brewer started as a Parish Councillor, meetings were held in the Sunday School rooms adjoining the old chapel in Golberdon, now named Batts Chapel, as there was no parish hall. Tom helped with the construction and fund raising of the current parish hall.

More recently Tom had the responsibility of regular safety checks of the play area equipment and instigated the alteration of the safety barrier so children now face oncoming traffic when leaving the park onto the road.

He requested a bench be put at the top of the recreation field so people could enjoy the fabulous views and proposed that wildflowers be planted alongside the far edge of the football field.  He also campaigned to improve parking and reduce speeding through our parish villages and was always asking for updates on the state of our drains and road surfaces.

At the Parish Council meeting on December 22nd, a special Thank You was given to retired Cllr. TOM BREWER for his service to the community over the 45 years he served as a parish councillor.   Tom was accompanied by his daughter Elaine, as our P.C. Chair Dennis Hicks unveiled an inscribed plaque displayed in the Parish Hall meeting room.  Tom joked and gave a few words of wisdom and advice to the new councillors present, instilling a sense of commitment and to have fun. He smiled as he said he wasn’t always in favour of decisions that have been made. 

Tom Brewer


Tom was married to his beloved wife Ann for 58 years. Ann was the niece of boxer Len Harvey, a national sporting idol. Their son Andrew lives in Tavistock and daughter Elaine still lives locally in Golberdon.

Tom is pictured below assisting Ley Daniel (South Hill Parish Chairman), Fern Friend and Les Hambley, Tom Brewer and one other, with the construction of The South Hill Parish Hall, which was established by an Order of the Secretary of State in 1965.

Fund raising from people of modest means via Whist and Beetle Drives meant that construction took a long time, as shown by the ivy growing on the structure.  Prior to and during this time Parish matters were discussed in the Sunday School of The Chapel in Golberdon. Tom’s unbroken service on The South Hill Parish Council exceeds 50 years and whilst he remembers Golberdon being a very tidy and clean place, with well-kept gardens, hedges and verges in his youth, he accepts that growth and infill of property amongst the original properties was a necessity.

Tom’s unwavering commitment to others is demonstrable in many ways. He gave up smoking his beloved pipe on the spot 16 years ago, when his son asked him not to blow smoke in his grandsons’ face. Years earlier he was part of the fund-raising efforts for the bereaved families of the Aberfan disaster and remembers The White Aces band came all the way from St. Austell to play. In recent years Tom has served by checking the Parish Hall children’s play area every day since its installation. He championed the alteration of the parks metal safety barrier onto the road, so that children leaving the park faced the oncoming traffic rather than away from it. The wildflower area, soon to be installed by The Parish Council was Toms’ idea, as was the bench within it that will benefit from a magnificent view of Caradon Hill.

Renowned and respected for his patience and compassion for both the animals he dispatched and for their often distraught owners, Tom travelled over 1000 miles a week working as a slaughterman. He recalls his first horse to dispatch was a large dray at Courage brewery, so tall in fact that Tom had to climb onto a beer barrel. He served the local hunts and attended the point to points of Spooners, Lamerton, Bolventor, East Cornwall and Tedcott hunts. Tom recalls the BSE (1980 – 1990) and Foot and Mouth (2001) outbreaks as being hugely traumatic for all involved, with millions of animals slaughtered.

Tom prefers to focus instead on the many animals he has saved over the years, one a horse, which survived for a further 6 years, and another, a heifer, for 18 months, following his advice to treat instead.

Tom’s eyes dance with merriment as he recalls the numerous bottles of whiskey bestowed upon him over the 55 years he served the Cornish and Devonian communities. Tom drinks whiskey, and always accepted it graciously. He remembers teaching young ladies, who were studying to become vets at Duchy College, about horse anatomy. Their gratitude was such that they bought him a fabulous statue for his retirement. Toms recalls that his leaving party at Duchy College was attended by over 50 guests, who of course brought him more whiskey. Nowadays Tom enjoys relaxing in his bright, sunny lounge reading the daily paper from PaperPhil. He loves to travel and is an avid fan of coach tours to Scotland. His warm personality draws others to him and his many friends clamour to meet up with him again on a trip at Christmas and next July, and of course Tom has readily agreed.

Survey – South Hill Community Jubilee Orchard


Welcome to South Hill Community Jubilee Orchard’s participant survey.

This survey will help to inform whether there is enough local support for a new community orchard.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M6RDR58

South Hill Community Jubilee Orchard

A proposed view of how the community orchard might look

This new space is owned by South Hill Parish Council, near Golberdon, and would be a new area that the local community can access. It will be a joint project between the Council and SHARE.

Continue reading →

Parish Council Report


New Councillor – It gives me great pleasure to welcome Carol Samuel as our new Councillor, coopted at our January 2020 meeting. There was a very good response to the vacancy advert, and I take this opportunity to thank those who expressed and interest in the position.
Recreation Field /Play Area – The Council are looking at options to create a natural habitat wildflower area at the top of the recreation field, so if you have any ideas please let us know.
The fencing around the children’s play area is going to be replaced and the Council are looking at options and costs to get the work completed as soon as possible. As part of this work the fence line will be moved slightly to increase the size of the play area in the bottom corner of the site.
Weekly inspections are carried out on the play equipment and any repairs identified are dealt with as a matter of urgency.
The grass cutting contracts are now available to any contractor interested in tendering for the work. The closing date is the 14th February 2020. Please get in touch if you would be interested in submitting a price. Contractors will be required to provide insurance and the appropriate certificates to carry out the work required. The contractor will be appointed at the February 2020 meeting and the decision will be based on costs, work standards and “best value”.
The field is available to hire for private functions and can also be used in conjunction with the hire of the hall. Hire requests are approved at the discretion of the Council, so if you would like to hold an outside event and need some space, please get in touch.
Climate Change – At the start of our November 2019 meeting, the Chairman Cllr David Skelton gave a short presentation on climate change and how we can all do our bit to help stop a world-wide climate emergency. Several members of the public attended and shared ideas on what measures could work in South Hill. Those present were challenged to make the top 10 pledges, see here and also to find out their own carbon footprint using one of the easy to use carbon calculators such as https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/ or https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
Traffic speed – The Council recognise that much of the traffic travelling through Golberdon is exceeding the speed limit, especially during early mornings and later in the day. Often in these circumstances local residents can be to blame as drivers become complacent with the road layout. Cornwall Council have been notified of our concerns and we are working with them via the Community Network and the Police to address this matter. We are also in discussion with local Community Speed Watch teams who will be visiting the village to carry out random speed checks. Please be aware of your speed. We do lack the safety of pedestrian footways and need to protect our residents, the children walking to the school buses, and those who visit.

Bus Stop Sign – Cormac have agreed to place a bus stop sign on the post opposite the existing shelter in Golberdon. This was requested so that the designated stop could be clearly identified.

Potholes and Blocked Drains – If you come across a pothole. Blocked drain on any other highway issues the best way to report this is directly to Cornwall Council. The easiest way is to use a smart phone or computer and follow the link. You will soon see if it has already been reported and you will get updated when the problem has been inspected and the work done. You can also phone 0300 1234 222.

Footpaths – As the days get longer and the weather improves the Council will be looking to carry out some maintenance work on the parish footpaths. The Council can now accept the help of volunteers to trim the public rights of way and complete minor maintenance work. For anyone who is interested please get in touch with Cllr Andrew Budd. You do not have to commit and volunteers will be supervised, and work in groups. Thank you to those people who have already put their name forward.

Meetings – The Parish Council meet on the third Tuesday of each month in the Parish Hall at Golberdon. Meetings start at 7.30pm and last approximately two hours. At the start of every meeting there is a public session where members of the public can address the Council on any subject relating to the parish. Otherwise if you would like to just sit and listen, you are welcome – it’s surprising what we do.
Information and contacts – Information on the Parish Council including our meeting agendas and minutes can be found on our website www.south-hill-pc.gov.uk
Sharon Daw is our Cornwall Council Ward Member and her email address is sharon.daw@cornwallcouncillors.org.uk

Jenny Hoskin (Parish Clerk) telephone 01208 72789 or email southhillpcclerk@gmail.com

Parish Council Update


South Hill Parish Council November Report

A vacancy on the South Hill Parish Council has arisen due to the resignation of Cllr. Nick Easton. Cornwall council has advised that there has been insufficient demand for an election and the Council can now fill the vacancy by co option at it’s meeting to be held on 21st January 2020. Interested parties should apply in writing or by email. For further information about the role of a parish councillor and the co-option process please contact the Parish clerk.

Remembrance Service – The parish Remembrance Service held on Saturday 9th November 2019 was well supported and we thank everyone for attending. To reduce waste, the wreath will be removed and stored to be used again next year when the Council will still make its usual donation to the Royal British Legion.

Phone Box – Jody the mannequin that disappeared from the phone box has now been replaced with a new model who looks quite at home in her new residence. It was due to the kindness of a local parishioner that a new mannequin was found and brought back to the village. Replacing Jody was by far the most popular idea put forward for the phone box. A suggested book exchange, while a commendable idea, wouldn’t work here because the slugs and snails can easily get in.

Recreation Field /Play Area – The Council are looking at options to create a natural habitat wildflower area at the top of the recreation field, so if you have any ideas please let us know. The fencing around the children’s play area is in need of repair and the Council are looking at options and costs to get this replaced early in 2020. Minor repairs are carried out as soon as they are identified. The grass cutting contracts will be coming up for tender in the New Year and a decision will be made on costs and “best value”.

Climate Change – At the start of our November 2019 meeting, the Chairman Cllr David Skelton gave a short presentation on climate change and how we can all do our bit to help stop a world-wide climate emergency. Several members of the public attended and shared ideas on what measures could work in South Hill. Those present were challenged to make the top 10 pledges, see here and also to find out their own carbon footprint using one of the easy to use carbon calculators such as https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/ or https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

Temporary road closures – Over the next couple of months some temporary road closures are happening in the parish to enable utility companies to carry out some much needed maintenance work. We are currently aware of the following, but there may be others that transpire over the coming weeks:- o Junction North of Newlandcombe to Frogwell Road, Trevigro on 9th – 22nd December 2019 (24 hours) for Western Power works. o South Hill to junction south of Egypt on 23rd and 24th January 2020 (24 hours) for South West Water.

Potholes and Blocked Drains – If you come across a pothole, blocked drain or any other highway issues, the best way to report this is directly to Cornwall Council. The easiest way is to use a smart phone or computer. You will soon see if it has already been reported and you will get updated when the problem has been inspected and the work done. You can also phone 0300 1234 222.

Footpaths – The Council can now accept the help of volunteers to trim the public rights of way and complete minor maintenance work. To those who have already expressed an interest in helping with this work, thank you, and we will be starting early next year. For anyone who is interested please get in touch with Cllr Andrew Budd. You do not have to commit and volunteers will be supervised, and work in groups.

Parish Precept – The parish precept for 2020/2021 (from 1st April 2020) has been kept at £9,500. This enables us to run the parish, pay for the clerk and any general expenses associated with the Council. Parishioners may find that when your council tax statement is received in March 2020, it may indicate an increase in the parish element although this is not the case as far as the precept is concerned. The figures calculated are reflected on the calculation of not only the number of homes in the parish and their individual banding, but the amount of homes that are discounted for single occupancy, holiday homes and empty properties. Information and contacts –

Information on the Parish Council, including our meeting agendas and minutes, can be found on our website www.south-hill-pc.gov.uk

Sharon Daw is our Cornwall Council Ward Member and her email address is sharon.daw@cornwallcouncillors.org.uk

This just leaves me, on behalf the Parish Council, to send all our parishioners Seasons Greetings for a very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2020.

Jenny Hoskin (Parish Clerk) telephone 01208 72789 or email southhillpcclerk@gmail.com

You will see that the parish council is advertising a vacancy because of the resignation of Councillor Nick Easton at the end of September. I’d like to thank Nick for his time as a Councillor. Nick spent many hours maintaining the play area and encouraging others to help too. I could depend on him to remind the Council if we weren’t following our own policies correctly and to suggest ways that we could make the business of the Council more transparent. Nick would always talk to his neighbours and others from the parish to get their opinion on matters the council were discussing. An important part of how we best serve you. David Skelton Chairman – South Hill Parish Council.

South Hill Parish Council September Report


Thank you to all who came along to the Horticultural Show and submitted your concerns, comments and suggestions on parish matters.

The speeding of traffic through Golberdon continues to raise concerns for the Parish Council and we are hoping to receive some assistance to deal with the matter.  The police don’t have enough officers to tackle this directly. We have three volunteers for a Community Speed Watch Scheme. The CSW coordinator and our local police officer are working on the practicalities. If you have a few hours to spare to help, please let me know. You might prevent an accident, injury or worse. Traffic surveys generally have identified that local residents are often to blame for speeding in their area, becoming complacent with the road network and the local village status. Please SLOW down and help to keep everyone safe.

General maintenance repairs are being carried out to the children’s play area equipment and inspections are completed on a weekly basis to ensure the site is kept to an acceptable standard.  However, if anyone finds anything that raises concerns please let us know.

Our Cornwall Councillor, Cllr Sharon Daw has a small sum of money available for organisations to benefit the community.  Applications can be made to Sharon direct on sharon.daw@cornwallcouncillors.org.uk

Alternatively there is funding from the Trefinnick Solar Farm that organisations or individuals can apply for.  There were lots of good suggestions made at the Horticultural Show such as a community orchard/meadow/woodland or a green burial ground. For the Parish Hall, kitchen improvements, radiators, more solar panels, film club equipment and better marketing of the Hall for celebration functions. Other ideas were a community electric car, creating wildflower verges, grants for households to install more efficient and sustainable heating, grants for water butts and compost bins and an extra dog waste bin. All of these ideas are very welcome and in principle eligible for funding. For them to proceed further, YOU, either individually or with a local group need to provide more details with costs so that the parish council can evaluate them.

 The parish council considered a request from the Hall committee for funding for radiators in the kitchen, meeting room etc. More information was required about the running costs of the new heating system and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments that will be received before a decision could be made. Consequently, it was decided not to place an order for installing the additional radiators. It was agreed to proceed with the cavity wall insulation for the Hall using the existing funding.

The Parish Council continue to monitor planning in our parish and identify any aspects of development that do not have planning consent or do not comply with the conditions on the approval granted.  We are working with the planning officers from Cornwall Council to resolve matters within the parish, and liaising with neighbouring parishes on sites within the area.  We now have a central planning team that focuses on all planning within the eastern part of the county.   

As many will know, Jody the mannequin disappeared from the phone box.  We have collected suggestions for the future use of the old telephone kiosk and replacing Jody was the clear favourite. We are looking at the costs of Jody II.

Our September meeting is always a long one, as there is no meeting in August, and this one was no exception.

There was not time to discuss declaring a Climate Change Emergency in the detail that it deserves. It was agreed that councillors needed more information about what this means for a small council like ours and what practical measures local councils can take. Our neighbouring councils, St. Ive and Stoke Climsland, have each declared Climate Change Emergencies so it was decided to ask them to come and explain to us what they have done.

This will be a public meeting and we encourage you all to attend, sorry we don’t have the date yet, please look out for it.  

The parish Remembrance Service will be held on Saturday, 9th November at 2.30pm  Posters will be published nearer the time and information placed on the parish council website www.south-hill-pc.gov.uk

Jenny Hoskin (Parish Clerk)

telephone 01208 72789 or email southhillpcclerk@gmail.com

Editor I note Openreach have been busy around Trevigro installing fibre broadband.

Over a year ago the Parish Council questioned why the property at 1 Moorland View, Golberdon had been left empty for so long. Many will have noticed the array of workman over many weeks working here, progress at last.

October PC meeting 15th , the 3rd Tuesday, starting at 7:30pm prompt.

South Hill Parish Council updates


The consultation on the proposed traffic calming measures on South Hill Road near the new estate, has now ended. Thank you to everyone who commented. It is evident that there is widespread opposition to the build-outs and these are not likely to be part of the final scheme. The proposed locations of the build-outs have been marked on the road but we have been assured that they will take their time before coming to a decision.

Your Parish Council and Stoke Climsland Parish Council have asked CORMAC to look at road safety at the Camelot Junction onto the A388. There has been a serious recent accident and numerous reports of near misses. Spending on road safety is determined by the number and severity of accidents. This junction is 177th on the list so is not dangerous enough to warrant anything being done.

Cornwall Council Planning Officers now work in Area teams rather than county wide so officers are more familiar with the area and local policy such as neighbourhood plans. Planning enforcement is now the responsibility of these teams. There are three sites in the parish currently being investigated.

The Trefinnick Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund has for several years been used for a variety of local projects. A balance sheet has now been produced showing all money received and projects funded since the first payment was received. In future the Parish Council will manage all receipts and grants using a separate, named bank account. If anyone has a community project that could benefit from this scheme please let us know or visit the Parish Council stand at the Horticultural Show where there will be more information about this fund and an opportunity to find out more about what the parish council is doing.

Our Cornwall Councillor, Cllr Sharon Daw also has a small sum of money available for organisations in her ward to benefit the community. Applications can be made to the Community Chest fund via the Caradon Community Network or email Sharon direct on sharon.daw@cornwallcouncillors.org.uk

Parish Hall. Tenders are being invited for fitting radiators in meeting room, kitchen and toilets. If you know of anyone who may be interesting in this work, please ask them to contact our clerk by emailing southhillpcclerk@gmail.com or phoning 01208 72789.

The School bus was stopping at the crossroads in Golberdon rather than opposite the bus shelter, possibly because of the uncut verge which has now been dealt with. Citybus has been advised that this is dangerous because of the poor visibility and should now be dropping pupils off in the correct area.

Our contractor has been asked to cut the road side verge alongside the play area. It may have been done by the time you read this!

Openreach have confirmed that 34 premises in the PL17 7JR , PL17 7JS, PL17 7JT, PL17 7JU post code areas are part of the current fibre broadband programme. The remaining part of the parish (PL17 7NL,PL17 7NQ, PL17 7NH,PL17 7NJ) is not in this contract but there are other funding routes available and the Openreach manager is willing to visit and discuss these in more detail.

Over a year ago the Parish Council questioned why the property at 1 Moorland View, Golberdon had been left empty for several months. We were assured that refurbishment works were to be carried out and the home re-let to a local family. We are aware this has not happened and continue to question Cornwall Housing as to why the work has not been done given the need for local affordable rented properties and the number of families needing a home.