Chairman's Letter

Dear Residents,

November already!! But as usual things are still very busy in the villages and in the village halls. It is well worth taking a look at the notice boards to see what is going on...everything from Karate and Brownies to Yoga and Green mat bowls to name just a few.

Great news to here that Cllr Page is recovering well from her operation, we can't wait to have her back at the meetings, so she can start chewing my ear off for things I've forgotten to do , we wish you all well Christine.

The new football season is up and running with four teams now calling Westminster Field their “home pitch” which is keeping both our clerks on their toes getting everything logged into the new booking system. Pitches are still available so contact the office for more information and availability.

Despite fitting larger signs pointing out the new overflow car park (which is open during high usage times,) people still seem to park right in the entrance and exit areas , stopping others from being able to park. Chevrons will be painted in front of these as well as the ambulance access to the field which should be kept clear at all times in case of emergency. Hopefully this will be enough.

A joint KCC SDC PC meeting took place on site to discuss the parking issues on Lombard Street, the congestion is being taken seriously and hopefully we will get some feedback soon as to how we can ease the problem.

As always with Autumn comes cold mornings and rain, the recent heavy downpours have highlighted areas that are liable to flood ( Frank's Lane, Devon Road and as we saw this month Lombard street) . The bottom of Bull Hill and Horton Road is notorious with its offset camber and water coming down Bull Hill making for a very slippery area, we have had our first accident of the month which has damaged 3 of the safety bollards and luckily no one was injured. Please be very careful around these areas whenever there has been heavy rain, slow and steady means you will get home in one piece.

Coming up in the next few months.

We have Bonfire Night on Sunday 7th November, discounted wrist bands will be on sale at the usual places so keep an eye open for the posters.

Following on the back of a very successful Summer Fete we are now looking into putting on a Christmas Fete and also Carol Singing.. but more information will follow once finalised.

There is talk about that St Mary's Church may be getting her flagpole back, no further information is at hand but it will be good to see the blue kitchen plaster removed from old flag pole stub.

The Parish council was also saddened to hear of the passing of Cllr Eric Wilson who was a member of the council from May 2007 to April 2015. He made a huge contribution to the running of the council and headed up the planning application side with his wealth of building and planning knowledge. A gently spoken, kind man ..he will be greatly missed.

To finish I would like to remind everyone that you are all welcome to come to the Parish council meetings held on the first Monday of every month, and if you would like to put your name down to volunteer for any of the works days, then please drop a message to us.

Look after yourselves and stay safe.

Kind regards

Cllr Peter Rushbrook

Chairman HKSDPC