Harvington

FAMILY SERVICE: St James' Church had an exceptionally good congregation on Sunday morning for the family service in which a number of schoolchildren took part. They read the lessons, conducted the prayers and performed as a choir, singing one of their favourite school hymns Drop in the Ocean, the theme of which became the focus of the Rector's talk. The children were supported by the acting head, Mrs Debbie Fielden, who was accompanied by Mrs Linda Attwood, a member of the school's ancillary staff. Coffee, tea, biscuits and squash were served afterwards by members of the congregation and everyone remarked on the feeling of togetherness which permeated this happy occasion. The illustrated talk on Saturday evening organised by the church's social committee was well received, the audience being impressed with the quality of the speaker, Mairi MacDonald of the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford. She gave her listeners an account of the origins of many of our Christmas customs, two of which were then observed by the serving of mulled wine and mince pies.

Readers are reminded that the Christmas Fair takes place on Saturday, December 6, in and around the village hall from noon until 2pm.

PARISH COUNCIL: After a public forum in which planning was again under heated discussion, councillors feeling that their views were often ignored and coun Holt warned that this situation could become much worse with the creation of Regional Assemblies, by which decision-making would become even more remote. The meeting continued with councillors deciding to arrange a visit as soon as possible by a planning officer, who would clarify the position regarding the respective powers of district and local councils.

An application to extend one of the two black-and-white cottages in Grange Lane was met with considerable misgiving and a decision was postponed; the proposed restoration of the dovecote adjacent to the Manor House in Anchor Lane has been granted but with strictures applying to materials etc. There has been at least one strong protest against the suggestion that the bus shelter opposite The Golden Cross should be pulled down but an answer to the problem of recurring vandalism and abuse has not been found. Coun John Redman is continuing to look at a number of suggested solutions, cost being seen as the determining factor in making a decision. The question of the increasing untidiness of the fence and the land behind that bus shelter has not been resolved because ownership and responsibility have not been identified as yet, but this matter is being pursued in response to many complaints. Various other complaints were dealt with - overhanging trees in one of the gardens in Hughes Lane, parking of a caravan/camper van in St James' Close and the regular exploding of fireworks in the region of Orchard Place and Leys Road. It was agreed that lack of sensitivity and a disregard of other people's feelings were the common factor in all these cases.

Coun Redman reported on the meeting of the village hall management committee, saying that there had been a pleasing response to the questionnaire sent out recently with a view to finding out what the village wants from its village hall.