Work on installing an amazing 25 square metre Oak-frame gazebo on Hixon Millennium Green will begin on Monday 21st October.
The 4m high structure is being supplied by Hixon-based, Oak Timber Structures.
The gazebo will act as a multi-functional focal point for open air theatre, music events and big screen showings. The first events will begin in Spring 2025.
It had planned for the gazebo to be installed in the summer of 2024, but issues with planning permission delays and contractor availability, pushed various target start dates into the Autumn.
Eventually, a start date for the construction of the gazebo was agreed for Tuesday 3rd September. The Millennium Green was closed off to enable Hixon-based groundworks contractor, EI Groundworks, to excavate and pour the concrete footings on August 27th.
The gazebo installation contractors were appointed to begin the build work seven days later on 3rd September. However, the installers did not turn up on 3rd September and could not guarantee an alternative start date. As a consequence, Hixon Millennium Green had to remain closed off because of the risk to members of the public being allowed access to what was, effectively, a construction site.
Any accident or injury sustained by a member(s) of the public within a defined construction site could have led to a claim against Hixon Millennium Green Trust.
On a more positive note, Hixon Millennium Green Trust is pleased to announce that a new and local experienced contractor has been appointed to commence installation of the oak frame gazebo on Monday 21st October 2024. Please be aware the Green will be closed off to public access during the construction period, which is envisioned to be about two-and-half-weeks.
The installation of the oak frame gazebo will introduce a new phase in the life cycle of Hixon Millennium Green. Hixon Millennium Green will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its opening on 1st. January 2025.
And here’s a bit of background history: In 1995, Bass Taverns Brewers, who were the owners of the unloved field and muddy car park, that is now Hixon Millennium Green and the tarmac car park, were intent on building six large houses on the site. Plans were drawn up to illustrate the proposed development and the site was set to go to auction on two occasions.
Fortunately, a determined group of Parish Councillors opposed the plans. After two years of brinkmanship and negotiations, Bass Taverns conceded not to push ahead with building the six houses.
The Parish Council purchased the site and Hixon Millennium Green Trust was created as a Registered Charity.
Hixon Millennium Green was opened on 1st January 2000 and is protected from development for 1,000 years. So please respect it and get involved in Hixon Millennium Green Trust events and working party days.
Volunteers always welcome to do jobs big and small.
Call 07966 135536 or Email; hixonmillenniumgreen@gmail.com.
The image below is a smaller version of the one that will be on Hixon Millennium Green in a few weeks time.
TV Personality to open Hixon Village Fete on Saturday 18th.
Charles Hanson, famous for his TV appearances on Bargain Hunt, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and similar programmes, is opening Hixon Village Fete on the Millennium Green this Saturday at 1.30pm.
Charles invites anyone attending the fete to bring along an item for a valuation.
Hixon’s own Antique Road Show, but without Fiona Bruce!
Charles Hanson’s passion for antiques began aged eight years old, when he uncovered a Charles I coin while metal detecting.
Perhaps he might find something on the Millennium Green with Digger Dawn?
Charles says his “proudest moment” was in the summer of 2022 when he hosted a charity auction at Windsor Castle on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen gave him the handbag she used (where she kept her marmalade sandwich) during the famous TV sketch with Paddington Bear as part of her Platinum Anniversary celebrations.
Charles hosts many auctions for charitable and celebrity causes, including being the official auctioneer for Liverpool Football Club.
He has brought the hammer down on the wonderful and the weird, from a Chinese vase (being used as a doorstop) sold at £650,000 to a pair of Queen Victoria’s bloomers at £ 4,500.
So, if you coming to Hixon Millennium Green Fete on Saturday, have a rummage around at home first. You never know.
New Bandstand on the Green Gets Go Ahead
Hixon Millennium Green Trust submitted a planning application to Stafford Borough Council in September 2023 seeking permission to build a 5m x 5m oak-framed bandstand. The photo below shows a similar 3.5m x 3.5m gazebo.
The application was approved by Stafford Borough Council Planning Committee on 1st May 2024.
The bandstand is being manufactured by local firm, Oak Timber Structures, based on Hixon Airfield. Assembly and installation of the frame will start on the Green in June. Unfortunately, this will be after the Hixon Village Fete on Saturday 18th May.
Once installed, it will be the centre piece on the Green for future village events including fetes, music festivals, outdoor theatre productions and cinema evenings. Keep checking these pages for details of future events on Hixon Millennium Green.
