Peta (pronounced as in Peter) Hudson has started corresponding with the HJCP, from where she lives in Ireland.. Her dad, Gary Hudson, bought the Henry Jenkins from the Kitching family in 1971 and fully refurbished and modernised the pub, installing the restaurant and kitchen and relocating the toilets, turning it into the pub we all knew until it sadly closed. Peta has some fantastic childhood memories of her time in Kirkby Malzeard and obviously has a wonderful memory for people and places. She has sent a series of old photos of the pub as it was then and how her lovely dad’s labours brought it into the modern world.   If anyone remembers Peta and would like to re-establish contact or would just like to have copies of the old photos please contact HJCPLtd@gmail.com.

The appeal against refusal of Planning Permission on the Eastern Annexe was held ‘virtually’ on Microsoft Teams this Tues & Wed 10^th & 11^th November.  An Inspector from the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol presided over those present: David Fielder & Justin Claybourne (who spoke only to confirm his presence) & their agent Jennifer Hubbard; HBC Planning Officer Gerard Walsh; and for the HJCP Ltd – Dave Robinson, Richard Sadler, Sarah Haslam. Observing: Mark Owen HJCP and Pippa Manson – Chair, KMPC .

The meeting was controlled very strictly and every aspect of the situation regarding the Eastern-Annexe was examined in detail. Everyone was able to express their view and outline their position.

Basically, the view of the owners was that separating 2 halves of the site but offering the sale of the western half as a pub, was enough to satisfy the CFX & HPPF planning policies that protect community facilities. Obviously, the HJCP objected that removing one half of the building and two thirds of the car park would destroy the social asset viability of the whole site. The view of HBC, represented by planner Gerard Walsh, was broadly aligned with the HJCP position.

The HJCP Business Plan was then forensically unpicked line-by-line by the owners trying to prove it was unviable and unworkable. These arguments were stoutly rebutted by a belief in its robustness, the audit and standard mark it had been given; and the expert contribution of advice and consultation to its creation by 2 operating local pubs and the approval gained from 3 other community pubs.

Finally, as expected, Jennifer Hubbard lodged a claim for costs against HBC for the refusal of the permission which thus forced the appeal. A long list of reasons was presented claiming numerous breaches and misinterpretations of the planning policies by HBC. Each point was defended by the Planning Officer. A decision on this claim will be made later on.

The Appeal was concluded after a day and a half of computer debate and the decision by the Planning Inspector will be issued in the coming weeks.

The HJCP are cautiously optimistic as we feel that our still-expanding membership; our growing community share total; the vigorous and passionate defence of our position and our Business Plan; the protection of the new HBC planning policies within the Local Plan (particularly HP8);  and our strong belief that the residents of our parish have a right to have this community asset returned into proper use, will win the day.

We will announce, and release for examination, the full Planning Inspectors decision whichever way it goes, as soon as we receive it.

A successful AGM was conducted by email commencing at the end of October. Company reports were circulated to the entire membership. Many thanks to those members who also included comments and opinions with their returned voting forms.

A vote of the membership returned a new management committee, who subsequently convened a company meeting to establish roles and responsibilities. These are:

Dave Robinson – Chair

Sarah Haslam – Secretary

Janet Robinson – Acting Treasurer

Richard Sadler – PR

Mark Owen – Legal Advisor

Will Parry – Property Advisor

The management committee were also please to confirm the reappointment of Alison Holgate who will continue in her role as a non-voting Arts Consultant. (Hooray!)

Up-to-date information about any aspect of the HJCP Ltd and the ‘Save the Henry Jenkins’ campaign can be obtained by contact with any member of the management team at at HJCPLtd@gmail.com

Justin Claybourn’s Appeal against the refusal of his planning application for the so-called ‘Eastern-Annexe’ of the Henry Jenkins has now been set for the 10^th & 11^th November.

The event will take place ‘virtually’ with contributers taking part on Microsoft Teams in a meeting run by Anton Godfrey from the Planning Inspectorate.

All the necessary HJCP documentation was provided prior to the original event date of 26^th March and no other submissions have been invited. But we will be ‘participants’, ready to respond when requested by the presiding inspector.

If you would like more information on this Appeal and the procedure, please contact this office – HJCPLtd@gmail.com. We will provide updates during and after the Hearing. The Inspectors decision may well take several months.

The AGM of the HJCP Ltd, delayed because of the pandemic, is now in process, taking place over a number of days ‘virtually’ by email. The formal AGM announcement and reports by the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary have now been issued to the entire membership.

As our Rules state that, at the conclusion of the first years trading, our committee must resign and be replaced by election, requests for nominations were made by email and a list of those standing are provided in a Voting Form which must be returned by no later than 17.00hrs on the 28^th November.

Your vote is very important – please do complete and return!

We also value transparent and open dialogue with our members so please do not hesitate to contact us on HJCPLtd@gmail.com with any questions, queries, comments and opinions. We promise that every submission will receive a reply.

The results of the election and responses to all comments provided will be emailed to all members early in November.

Parish Council – Casual Vacancy

 A Kirkby Malzeard Councillor has left the Parish Council, therefore leaving a Casual Vacancy. The options to fill this vacancy are:

1:         If 10 Kirkby Malzeard residents request it by 23rd October 2020, a proper public election will take place but not until May 2021 earliest – see village website for details.

2:         If no such request is made, the PC will advertise the vacancy to Kirkby Malzeard residents with the aim of co-opting someone . Details of this will be issued by the PC in due course – watch the village website.

3:         If there are 2 or more nominees for the co-opted position, the PC will hold an internal vote to choose.

4:         A PC vote to co-opt someone is likely to happen at the November PC meeting (23^rd Nov).

A creative, strong and caring parish council is pivotal in creating a sense of ‘community’ and the HJCP looks forward to working closely with the Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill PC in the future, when the Henry jenkins has been restored to it’s former glory.

So, if you feel you would like to serve the parish by becoming a councillor, please consider putting your name forward now. Your village (and your Henry Jenkins) needs you!

If you would like to discuss what is involved in becoming a parish councillor, please don’t hesitate to contact me , or any existing councillor.

Dave Robinson, Chair HJCP Ltd

01765 658123, 07860 396170, HJCPLtd@gmail.com

NOTICE IS GIVEN OF THE HJCP LTD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) TO BE HELD 26TH OCT 2020

Supporters of the ‘Save the Henry Jenkins’ campaign may now become an Associate member of the Community Benefit Society by completing the online form posted on the Henry Jenkins website.

Associate Members are not required to purchase shares but may support the campaign in other ways, for example, gardening, or welding a hammer, saw or paintbrush during the refurbishment!

Associate Members cannot vote at Company Meetings but may attend by invitation. They will, however, receive all issued updates and company eNewsletters to keep up to date with the campaign.

The formal launch will be by a leaflet drop through the letterboxes of the entire parish during week commencing 12th October.

The HJCP Ltd is proud to announce the launch of our Associate Membership scheme, for people who would like to support the campaign to Save the Henry Jenkins without the requirement to invest in shares.

An Associate Member increases support for the campaign and receives regular updates and newsletters issued by the society .

Once the pub has been bought, an Associate Member will be invited to provide support in other ways, perhaps by gardening or wielding a saw or a paintbrush during the refurbishment!

Associates are not shareholders so may not vote in shareholders meetings but may attend such meetings by invitation. They may convert to Full Membership at any time by subscribing for shares.

Our Rules and Business Plan always anticipated an Associate Membership scheme but plans for a Spring launch were delayed by Covid-19 restrictions and because these restrictions seem set to continue, we feel that now is the right time.

We hope you will join us by clicking this link and look forward to welcoming you into the Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd, Community Benefit Society.