Eckington

BOOK CLUB: Will be meeting on Friday, November 19 at Jeni's, to discuss Penelope Fitzgerald's Offshore. More information from Karen on 750401 or Jeni on 751478.

FRIENDS OF ECKINGTON SCHOOL: The FOES Auction of Promises is on Friday, November 12, 8pm at the Bell, Eckington. This is the biggest fundraiser each year for the village school. Catalogues are now available from the school office or members of FOES, cost is £4 which includes entry on the night and free wine and food, written bids welcome. For details please call Liz on 079 800 223 86.

CRAFT FAIR: Eckington Under Fives and babes and Toddlers are hosting a Christmas Craft Fair on Friday, November 26, 5-7pm in the village hall. Contact Jeni on 751478 or Jo on 750119.

PARISH COUNCIL: At the parish council meeting on Tuesday, October 12, two electors took the opportunity to attend the open forum. The concerns raised included the on-going issue of the overgrown field hedge obstructing visibility and reducing the width of the highway in Nafford Road, the lack of progress with the proposed affordable housing site in Pershore Road and the Local Public Inquiry regarding the gypsy site off the B4080.

Other matters dealt with were:

Highways: Confirmation has been received from highways that they are pursuing with the landowner the maintenance of the hedgerow in Nafford Road. It was agreed that this would be followed up.

Footpaths: An inspection of all the footpaths throughout the parish has been carried out, to ensure the public rights of way are way marked. Details of the maintenance work required has been submitted to the Countryside Service at Worcestershire County Council.

Gipsy Site: The appeal against the refusal of the planning application for an eight-pitch gipsy site was considered, and it was agreed that a letter would be sent to the planning inspectorate to state the parish council's objections to the planning application, emphasising: Intrusion into open country, the site is outside the village development line, access for the site is on a fast stretch of the B4080, close to where a fatal accident has occurred, potential lack of stormwater drainage from the highway through loss of roadside ditch.

Recreation Centre: Payment of the second instalment of the grant towards the running costs of the centre of £1,250 was approved.

Wychavon Citizens' Advice Bureau: It was agreed that in view of the invaluable service provided to the community a grant of £50 should be made. It was noted that the bureau was reliant solely on donations/grants to provide this advisory service.

Eckington Cemetery: Burial fees for the cemetery were reviewed. The new fees will come into force from January 1 2005, and full details are available on the cemetery and parish notice board.

The next meeting of the parish council is to be held on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the committee room of the village memorial hall. The open forum will be held at 7.30pm.

ECKINGTON SCHOOL: Pupils have been busy cooking, sewing, making and painting to produce items for sale at their autumn fair on Friday, December 3, 2pm in the school hall. This is a new event and the children and hoping for a big attendance.

ECKINGTON SCOUTS AND GUIDE GROUP: The bazaar sale will be on Saturday, December 4, 2pm in the village hall.

BONFIRE COLLECTION: A collection will be made again this year to build a bonfire. The collection will be on Saturday morning starting at 9am. Anyone who has rubbish for collection should put their name on the list at the post office. A donation of £2.50 is requested to go on the list and £15 for a full trailer of rubbish. This money covers the bulk of the cost of the fireworks (just under £600).

Volunteers are needed to help with the rubbish collection. Let Richard Arnold (751478) or Jon Smith (750701) know beforehand or just join one of the tractor teams on the day.

COBALT UNIT APPEAL FUND: Dorothy Ludlow held her latest sale on Saturday, October 9, and thanks to splendid support and help, raised another £3,062. This makes the total raised from Dorothy's sales £137,000.

RAFT RACE: After a gloriously sunny day on September 4, the raft race committee announced that this year £942 was raised for the Recreation Centre, Worcester Scanner Appeal and Acorns Trust.

On top of this, just over £400 was raised by the Under Fives, £40 for the school from the collection buckets and about £40 for the Brownies.

FIREWORK DISPLAY: This year will be on Saturday, 6.30pm at the recreation centre. Family ticket £7, adults £3, children over 5 £1. Glow sticks will be on sale.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION: Volunteers are needed to help sell poppies in the village and at Strensham Services. Contact May Stephens on 750638 for more details.