Harvington

PARISH COUNCIL: Before the start of the meeting, Mr Dennis May of Anchor Lane, who usually attends the meetings as a member of the public, was welcomed back after his recent spell in hospital and good wishes extended for the success of his operation.

The Public Forum had questions about the untidy, overgrown state of the village footpaths and it was agreed that the county authorities should be asked about the village's entitlement to help in this respect, after which the council will deal with the matter as necessary.

Questions were asked about the mobile home, which has been positioned in the grounds of the Coach and Horses pub. Is this to be a permanent feature and on whose authority? The questioners were assured that complaints had already been received prior to this meeting and the matter is already being investigated.

Business included a statement that work on the Fishing Lakes site appeared to have stopped, with no sign of working machinery or lorry movements. Inquiries to Wychavon have proved fruitless and letters to the county council have received no reply, so it appears impossible to say exactly what is happening at this stage, though the meeting was assured that the Action Group is alert to every likely move by RMC.

The Local Plan Review, which will show details of the proposed housing development in the village, will be available for inspection from the end of this month and comments will be invited.

Promises have been made to repair all the potholes in the roads. It was hoped that the workmen will do a better job than that in Leys Road, where the manholes are now well below the surface of the road in deep depressions which are themselves as bad as the potholes.

A letter from Wychavon referring to the general misuse of the skips they have provided for village use over a number of years was discussed. There was a feeling of disgust that some people (albeit only a minority) spoil this facility for others by abusing it so badly. If this happens again there will be no more free skips provided in Harvington.

A letter was read from Roger Beard of the playing field committee showing the latest plans and giving up-to-date information on the situation as regards the purchase of the extra land for extending the field. The council regretting that there should have appeared to be any criticism from them, where in fact, none had been expressed or intended, spoke warmly of all the efforts which are being made to bring this ambitious plan to fruition and the gratitude they feel, on behalf of the village, that it is being undertaken. The question had arisen at last month's meeting because complaints were being made about the fact that youths are playing football on the forecourt of the village hall and on the green, causing disturbance and nuisance, so that thought was being given to the possible reasons for the resumption of this practice after a long, trouble-free period.

ST. JAMES' CHURCH: The annual Summer Fete, one of the two main money-raising events of the church's year, will take place on Saturday, July 13, from 2 until 4pm in the afternoon. The village hall and its environs, together with the playing field, will be the scene of much activity with lots of things to see, to do and to buy. A lot of hard work has gone into the preparation of it and you are asked, please, to try and support this important effort and to make it the success that it usually is.

As from next Sunday, the morning service (which is usually a Communion service) will be at 9.30am, not 9.15 as has been the practice for some time.