LOTTERY CASH FOR BROMPTON-ON-SWALE

The Parish Council is delighted that as part of the "Connect2" programme led by the cycling charity Sustrans, we won the Big Lottery "Peoples£50million" competition. "Connect2"  gained 42% of all the votes cast in the telephone and online voting, a big margin of victory in a 4-way contest.

"Connect2" is made up of 79 projects throughout the UK and our own local "Bridge The Gap" scheme to create a new bridleway crossing of the River Swale is now assured of the £50,000 funding we need to turn our plans into reality. Most of the money will be spent on a new prefabricated wooden structure which will be fitted onto the existing disused railway bridge. This will provide a safe river crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders free of motorised traffic.

A good deal of effort will also be needed to improve the approaches to the bridge on both banks of the river and we hope that local people will respond to a call for volunteers to help with this work. We are very fortunate that the Royal Engineers have agreed to include the bridge in their community assistance scheme and we will be relying on their skills to install the new bridge once it has been delivered to site.

This new crossing will provide a vital link between bridleways and footpaths on both banks of the river. In addition to existing Public Right of Way, both North Yorkshire County Council and the Richmond and Swale Valley Community Initiative are working on plans to improve bridleway links between Richmond, Catterick Garrison and Brompton-on-Swale. If, as we hope, these efforts pay off, the bridge will be at the hub of an even more useful network of paths and tracks for healthy and safe recreational use.

We hope to start groundwork on the scheme in 2008 and you can keep up to date with the future progress of "Bridge The Gap" by reading  the Parish Newsletter and also via this website and the local press.

The Parish Council is extremely grateful to all the official bodies, businesses and voluntary groups whose help has been vital in the success of "Bridge The Gap" These include:-

Sustrans
Yorkshire Water (owners of the former railway bridge)
Thomas Armstrong Ltd
Our neighbouring Parish Councils,
Richmondshire District Council,
Richmond and Swale Valley Community Initiative
North Yorkshire County Council
Richmond Cycling Club
Richmondshire Ramblers
Swaledale Outdoor Club
Ragged Robin Wildlife Group
The British Horse Society

Plant a Tree Scheme.

The initial planting of trees in the Cemetery took place on Saturday 9^th December 2006.  Some 33 trees have been sponsored by residents, 7 of whom, plus family members, attended to plant their own trees.  Following the planting, the sponsors were treated to coffee, mulled wine and mince pies by the Parish Council.  The local paper attended to record the occasion and take photographs and the Chairman of the Parish Council thanked everyone for their support for this very worthwhile project.
The remainder of the trees will be planted within this week.  The addition of the trees will go towards making the grounds a more restful and pleasant area for residents and visitors to spend time in quiet contemplation.
Many thanks to Cllr Brian Woodley for his hard work and perseverance in bringing the scheme to fruition together with Cllr Margaret Lowery and everyone who assisted.  Further developments in the Cemetery grounds are hoped to take place as money permits.