Page 6 - Oundle Life August 2023

STAUNCH
Titchmarsh Open Gardens
On Sunday 18th June, after much preparation, the STAUNCH Fundraising Committee
held Titchmarsh Open Gardens to raise
funds for their campaign to prevent the two massively inappropriate and unsustainable planning applications for warehouses between Titchmarsh and Thrapston.
However, STAUNCH has now grown into
an organisation that is fighting to prevent Northamptonshire becoming a ‘County of Sheds’, sheds that will soon no longer be required, as demand for logistics changes. STAUNCH is working at both County and Government level. It has amalgamated with the Nene Valley Association and its long-term aim is to gain Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status for the Upper Nene Valley.
Titchmarsh has had links with Alan Titchmarsh for many years, for obvious reasons! He has visited the village many times, including Titchmarsh Primary School, and he came to open Titchmarsh Village Shop in 2007.
STAUNCH wrote to Alan in January 2022 to let him know that our village was under threat. We later invited him to join us at our Open Gardens event, but he was unable to attend. However, he sent us a wonderful video of support (which can be seen on our website) and a signed copy of his books that raised £100.
Alan’s words in the video ring very true with STAUNCH members and supporters, but also
for many residents in Northamptonshire, who do not want any more warehouses to ruin our countryside, the nature within it, and add even more HGV traffic to our already overburdened roads, that are cracking up under the strain.
Interest in STAUNCH’s campaign is growing, with requests from the BBC for interviews about warehouse development, both locally and county wide, and of Alan’s support.
STAUNCH continues tirelessly, to oppose these opportunistic developers who try to disguise their applications with ‘greenwashing’ and supposed ‘benefits to the community’. They choose not consider the massive negative impact on our area and are only motivated by money.
The fight goes on!
OUNDLE
• Diagnostics • MOT Work • Servicing
• Repairs
• Tyres
SERVICE
CENTRE
Joe Nall: 01832 275404 Email: oundleservicecentre@hotmail.com
WE HAVE MOVED Herne House, Herne Park, East Road, Oundle PE8 4BZ
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View Alan Titchmarsh on the website:
www.staunchcampaign.org