Belper Civic ForumThe Civic Society of Belper and Milford in Derbyshire

Local residents of all ages are invited to join a special guided walk combining history and natural geography.  Belper's Civic Forum is organising the walk along the middle section of Coppice brook on Sunday May 20th, following the success of a first walk along the lower section of the brook last year.  'People may think that Belper grew up around the River Derwent, but when you think about it, it's grown up around Coppice brook, and it joins the old and new parts' says walk leader Julie Wozniczka.
 

What have Stamford, Sleaford, Boston and Holmfirth got in common?  They all have similarities and common issues with Belper, and they have all been visited by members of the town's Civic Forum in the last four years.  At the Forum's AGM on Wednesday 18th April, Roger Shelley will give a presentation showing how these other small English towns are coping with today's challenging economic times, and what lessons they may have for us here in Belper.  See if you agree that these can lay claim to be our 'real' twin towns!

The Civic Forum is holding a meeting next week to consider the two consultations that are currently being run on the future of the Meadows Edge area, and on the possible housing-led development at Cinderhill, near Denby.

Please come along and help us put together a collective response to the questions on the Borough Council's website (see http://opengov.ambervalley.gov.uk/docarc/docviewer.aspx?docGuid=acbd4426... and also look out for the Character Appraisal).

Our model of the Meadows Edge area will also be available for inspection.

The meeting is at Strutts on Thursday 15th March, and starts at 7.30pm. (This replaces the previously planned members' meeting for 8th March).

We are holding a members meeting on Weds 21st Sept, 7.30pm, at Strutts, Derby Road, to consider three important issues.

1. The development brief for the Bullsmoor site - a proposal outlining the type of industrial development to be allowed on the site off Nottingham Road.  Please see the Borough Council agenda item discussed at their meeting on 15 August, and on which they are now consulting between 22 August and 3 October (http://www.ambervalley.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors,-democra...).