PAUNTLEY annual assembly of the parish meeting and the annual parish council meeting were held at Pauntley Memorial Hall at Brand Green on Monday, May 12. The chairman, Eric Solesbury presented the annual report and Gwyneth Benjamin, clerk and treasurer gave the financial report. A governors' report from Pauntley School was provided by the headteacher, Mary Francis. The village hall report was presented by Eunice Cooper, chairman of the village hall committee. Two members of the public were present.

The state of the roads, particularly Welsh House Lane and the road to Botloes Green, was still giving cause for concern. A village sign for Brand Green is planned, it is hoped this will be near the phone box.

Coun Eric Solesbury was first elected chairman of Pauntley Parish Council in April 1974 and before that was a councillor. Eric retired as a councillor at the recent elections. To mark his retirement and to say thank you, Brenda Baimbridge, on behalf of the parish, presented Eric with an engraved vase.

The present members' of the parish council are Brenda Baimbridge - chairman, Eunice Cooper, Tony Ford, Maurice Elton, Reg Crompton, Douglas Morgan, Stephen Morris and Gordon Lightburn. Gwyneth Benjamin is the clerk but she is hoping to retire from this office in the near future. The next meeting of the parish council will be on Monday, September 15 at 7.30pm.

Payford Bridge is due to be re-opened on Friday, June 13, dependent on work being completed. Many people are looking forward to the work being finished, as detours have had to be made for many weeks. This has caused much inconvenience especially to parishioners looking to travel between Redmarley and Pauntley.