Meeting Notes
Our meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at Godshill Primary School, starting at 6:30pm. We finish no later than 8pm in order to have time to socialise at a local hostelry. If 6:30 is too early, please turn up when you can, or even just join us for a chat after 8pm.
SUMMARY of our most recent meeting
Wednesday 8th July 2026
This meeting of Godshill Matters covered the postponement of the AGM, progress on local heritage and road safety projects, and a presentation on the "We the 33" community initiative.
Operational Updates
• AGM Postponement: The Annual General Meeting has been delayed until September. The primary cause is the inability to verify annual accounts in the Secretary's absence.
• Constitutional Review: The current constitution is no longer fit for purpose. Amendments will be drafted over the coming fortnight to better reflect the group's expanded scope.
• Consultation Group: A request was made for 3-4 volunteers to join a WhatsApp "bounce" group to provide quick feedback on urgent consultation issues between formal meetings.
Community & Heritage Projects
• Lady Anne Project: The "Lady Anne" puppet, designed by Year 5 students to represent the village mascot, is now complete and stored at Colin’s farm. It recently featured in the Biosphere Festival.
• Heritage Trail Registration: There is a push to officially register the Lady Anne walking trail. Issues regarding Ordnance Survey licensing were noted; the group may seek Parish Council support for physical signage and a hand-drawn map for the village website.
• Village Pavilion: The project is moving into a funding phase. A mandate was established via a November survey, but fresh evidence of community support is required for grant applications. The Village Hall Charity holds £80,000 in village funds which the group believes should be directed toward this project.
Road Safety & Resilience
• Speedwatch Results: Recent excursions clocked 39 offenders out of 348 vehicles on School Road. Despite the data, there is frustration with Island Roads' lack of response regarding "Slow Down" signage and planning permissions.
• Emergency Briefing: A screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing film is scheduled for 22 July at 7 PM at Colin’s barn. The film covers expert briefings on climate, energy, and health risks.
• Met Office Adaptation Project: Leigh and Colin are leading a local project with the Met Office to record historical weather anecdotes (e.g., the 1963 freeze) to inform future extreme weather resilience plans.
"We the 33" Initiative
Lucy presented the project focused on three workstreams:
Community Growing: Distributing £38,000 for equipment (polytunnels, tools). The group discussed potential sites in Godshill, including land behind the cemetery and a plot near the Newport Road bus stop.
Energy Champions: Seeking a local volunteer to act as a "trusted point of contact" for energy efficiency advice and grants. Training and insurance are provided via Green Isle of Wight.
Youth Engagement: Identifying gaps in local provision and sharing lessons from other Island parishes.
Upcoming Key Dates
22 July 2026 | PEB Screening | 7 PM at the Barn.
August 2026 | Summer Recess | No formal meeting.
09 Sept 2026 | Rescheduled AGM | Election of officers and constitutional vote.
Nov 2026 | Pavilion Target | Aiming for initial construction completion.
Infrastructure & Maintenance
• FixMyStreet: A significant uptick in reporting was noted (9 reports in the last month). An overgrown hedge at the car park entrance is currently under investigation by Island Roads following a report.
• Allotments: The Parish Council is legally bound to provide allotments if four more residents request them. A one-acre site behind the cemetery is being formalised for potential use.