ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: Talk by county archaeology officer - Mr M Atkin was unable to attend due to commitments at the Throckmorton burial site and his place was taken by Mike Glyde, planning archaeologist, Worcestershire County Council. Mr Glyde began by explaining the structure of the service which is divided into three departments. Fladbury village has the highest concentration of archaeological remains in the county and items dating back to the second millennium BC were discovered at the preliminary dig prior to the building of the sports pavilion. Records held by the service can be viewed by appointment. There are 250 known archaeological sites in Fladbury, including at the village hall, a Saxon bishop's palace, Saxon house and Bronze Age burial site. The team from Birmingham University currently working at the school had found a prehistoric ditch. Mr Glyde was keen that if the parish council ever drew up a village design statement, archaeology should be a material consideration as part of the planning decision making. The need for a further dig at the recreation ground was touched upon and Mr Glyde stated that the archaeological service was hoping to provide their services free of charge and seeking further grant funds to cover the balance. It was hoped that this dig could be incorporated into the Fladbury Walkabout, in 2002 if not possible this year due to foot and mouth.

Matters arising from the minutes: Mr Shelley noted that the lamp post at the end of Coach Drive was still leaning and the clerk reported that Pirelli had been asked to quote to rectify this and had been reminded several times. The site of the old railway station had now been purchased by Wychavon District Council who were looking for a use for the land. The parish council is committed to the installation of dog fouling bins at the recreation ground but thwarted at present by Wychavon's further consultation initiative.

Chairman's report on the past year: Nine parish council meetings had been held with attendance averaging 84%. The chairman thanked all the parish councillors, district coun Alan Lee and retiring county coun Mrs Tricia Birchley for their support. Fladbury Cricket Club had fielded five teams, and two football teams had also used the sports pavilion. It was hoped that more organisations could be made aware of its facilities and availability. Safety surfacing had been completed at Pool Garden with the recent installation under the seesaw. The mowing policy had been revised to improve the appearance of the grass areas and most trees had been pruned. Two larger litter bins had been ordered for the recreation ground and a dog poop bin had been provided by Wychavon District Council. Increased use during the foot and mouth crisis had resulted in a need for it to be emptied twice weekly. During the year the parish council had been visited by the rural housing enabler but had rejected the need for social housing in Fladbury. The 30 mph limit had been increased to cover the whole length of the road through Fladbury and further road markings were to be added. PC Storr had attended a parish council meeting and been quizzed about traffic speeds. The resulting laser check had caught 43 drivers, most of whom had been prosecuted. A subsequent speed monitoring unit had shown average speeds of between 41 and 44 mph. This survey had been curtailed by deliberate damage to the sensors on the road surface. It was hoped to improve lighting in the village and the views of residents were invited. The chairman reminded everyone that a property marking kit had been purchased for the use of villagers and could be borrowed from coun Mills. The chairman closed by thanking the clerk and the people whose efforts made the village a better place to live in: Brian Carter, Joan Woodward and her litter team, Alice Flavell, Vic Jones and David Ruff.

Any other business: Concern was expressed at the number of road potholes. It was suggested that the installation of kerbs between Old Rectory Green and the Recreation Ground would help prevent potholes developing at the side of the road.

The chairman reported that he had met recently with David Lavender of the county highways department and had supplied a map with all potholes marked after the meeting. Kerbs had been requested from the golf course down but as the Golf Club were looking at moving their car park, the county council would not consider kerbs at present, it was pointed out that a new Golf Club Car Park was unlikely to be built within the next five years.

The chairman informed the meeting that Wychavon District Council now had only one unit to clear gullies within its area. Drain cleaning was the responsibility of the county council.

The parish council had asked the county council to introduce a 40 mph speed limit at Fladbury Cross and this would be looked at in conjunction with the Wyre Piddle bypass.

Villagers expressed concern at the difficulty in turning onto the A4538. Mr Shelley advised that there was a scheme in existence for lighting at the junction. Mr Carter asked if the parish council had made representations to get footpaths reopened. The chairman said that it had recommended that all footpaths south of the A4538 be reopened, apart from the permissive path to Jubilee Bridge. Coun Lee told the meeting that there were no plans to reopen the footpaths in the county until Worcestershire was disease free.

It was stated that the steps from the little gate onto the Recreation Ground became treacherous in wet weather. Matter to be looked into. In response to a question, the chairman told the meeting that the portacabin at the recreation ground introduced as part of the Tennis Club refurbishment would remain on site until the ground was dry enough for its removal. The railing that had been temporarily removed was expected to be replaced at the same time.