ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: Ilmington's annual parish meeting, chaired by coun Tony Wilkins, was attended by 45 parishioners, which must be almost a record.

Mrs Sheila Ribbans gave an account of the progress on the parish plan. A steering group and a committee had been formed, but more members were needed. They hoped to have coffee mornings and working groups in the summer and autumn, which would be well publicised, and everyone would be welcome. The group had received a grant of £2,000 from the Countryside Agency. It also hoped to bring the parish appraisal up to date. Mr Stephen Wright then spoke about the advantages in producing a parish plan, one of the most important of which was that it would be easier to get grants for projects such as toilet facilities in the church, improvements to the village hall stage, a film club for the youngsters and updating of the pavilion. Mrs Gudrun Berry, chairman of Stour Power in Shipston, then spoke. She said that grants were almost guaranteed if there was a parish plan.

Mr Michael Dingley spoke about the progress on the playing field. He said that the football pitch was one of the best in the area. The cricket pitch had had a setback because of the dry season last year, when there were large cracks all over the pitch. However, these would have been much worse if no sand had been spread on the playing field. Both the Sports Turf Research Institute and D W Clark Drainage had said that drainage of the field was the beginning and that the sand was vital. The resulting playing surfaces should last for 50 years. Mr Dingley also said that the football club had put in for a grant for extra drainage to their pitch.

The chairman reported that the memorial to Paddy and Floy Donnell was virtually finished, and consisted of a map on the Lower Green showing the footpaths and places of interest in the parish.

Mr Rob Hawkins said it had been suggested that there should be a strip of tarmac in front of the hall, which would take about 25 cars, with possibly another strip up Foxcote Hill. After discussion, on a show of hands there were seven in favour of a tarmaced area, and the rest, over 30, against.

The chairman reported that Mrs Lucy Blyth had offered to be chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch in the village.

Mr Shurey thanked the parish council for all its efforts on behalf of the village, which were much appreciated.