Wimbish Parish Council Gets Planning Permission for the FIRST PASSIVHAUS Affordable Development in the country. Plans are now underway for the construction of 14 dwelling in Tye Green, Wimbish. Due to begin this spring.

A Passivhaus uses 90% less energy to heat than a standard home

To read more about the Passivhaus principles go to :-
www.passivhaus.org.uk and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_house

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Some of you may have seen me out and about with one of my hearing dog puppies and wondered what a hearing dog does and how it is trained.

Hearing Dogs change lives. They alert their deaf owners to sounds providing greater independence, confidence and security. In addition their companionship and the visibility of their burgundy jackets can help to break down the barriers and isolation that many deaf people face.

Wherever possible the dogs trained come from rescue centres, but they are also donated by members of the public and breeders with the remainder coming from the charity’s own breeding scheme. Dogs selected are between 8 weeks old to three years of age and must be friendly, people orientated and, of course, alert to sounds.

Before they are ready to start their sound work training the puppies or young dogs spend a period of time with a volunteer socialiser like me. For the older dogs this may by just a few weeks but for young puppies it can be up to a year. During this time the puppy is introduced to as many people, places and experiences as possible and is taught basic obedience and to respond to both voice commands and hand signals.

Dogs that successfully complete their socialising training commence advanced sound work training which takes four months. The dogs are taught to respond to everyday sounds (like the alarm clock, phone or doorbell etc.) by touching their owner with a paw and leading them to the source of the sound. They respond to emergency sounds, such as the smoke alarm, with a special alert signal. Each dog is individually trained for his chosen deaf recipient’s needs.

The last stage of training involves working with the hearing dog and their new deaf owner, initially at one of the charity’s training centres followed by a tailor-made course in the recipient’s home. This course takes around three months after which the fully fledged hearing dog and their owner can look forward to a successful partnership lasting many years.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People receives no lottery or government funding and so relies entirely upon the generosity of the public both for fundraising and for volunteers. If you would like more information or if you are interested in donating a puppy, becoming a socialiser or rehoming a dog please get in touch.

Yvonne Young.
599089

Cllr Simon Walsh (the ECC councillor for this area) is investigating the school bus problems. He writes:

One issue regarding the school bus service, I am told new arrangements will be introduced this September, and I will be keeping a close watch to try and ensure that a more compatible ticketing arrangement is in place.

Second, the current service has been replaced by a new provider, and that may have left some parents with invalid tickets. We don't know how many, or indeed if there are any in this position because they would have bought their tickets directly. However, if there are any in this situation they are advised to contact Emma Toublic at County Hall Chelmsford, and she will do her best to see that their arrangements are honoured.

To read about the details of the school bus problems which Cllr Walsh is investigating click here>>

To read the report on the current bus situation click here>>

New schoolday bus for Wimbish: for children and adults too.

Great news for Wimbish pupils attending Saffron Walden High School. The existing minibus service, which does not carry sixth-form passengers except with an expensive season ticket, will be replaced from the start of term in September by an extension of route 94 (which presently serves only Sewards End) to also serve Tye Green & Howlett End.

Service 94 runs only on schooldays but it is a public bus: so anyone can buy a ticket and travel. Those using pensioner bus passes will have to pay on the morning bus to Walden (since it starts before 9:00 am) but can come home on the 94 bus that leaves Walden at 3:20pm for free. So a free jouney in by 17 or 312 at about 10:00am can be combined with a 94 to get home, giving a longer stay in town than is possible at present.

The timetable and details of fares is available as a pdf click here.

This sorts all but one of the problems with the Tye Green & Howlett End school bus service. the remaining problem is that sixth-form pupils (who have to pay fares) will be charged as adults on route 94 (and on buses 52 & 53 to Newport Grammar) but those using the Carver Barracks pblic bus service 313 to Saffron Walden School will have the chance to get a half-fare bus card. Essex County Council should treat all its sixth-form pupils alike, which ever bus they have to use to reach school.

David Corke - Parish Public Transport Representative