THE AGM of the village hall committee took place last Monday. Chairman for the past two years, Eric Powell, was presented with two gifts on his retirement from serving on the committee for the past 20 years, much of that time as secretary. Eric now wishes to have more family time. Asked for highlights during his volunteer work, Eric felt that bringing the community together was the main thing. He had enjoyed fundraising functions, and new projects had worked successfully.

In his time as chairman he was particularly pleased with the extension to the village hall to provide toilets for the disabled, the conservation work on the field, and the increase of parking space which had been achieved. The village is fortunate in having two good halls, both of which are well booked. Unfortunately the committee has often had to tackle the problem of vandalism.

John Hazelden will be the new Chairman. A request for future help is the loan of a hoist to help decorate the Christmas tree next year, please contact 01494 564198.

The President of the village hall committee, Ed Cheshire, gave thanks to all who make the village hall's efforts such a success.

Councillor Richard Pushman was there and he explained his grant to the village hall from the Community Leader's Fund.

The committee would appreciate any new volunteers to help with the village hall administration, to widen the scope of those who have kept the village hall going for so long.

THE National Trust were totally outbid for the land recently up for sale opposite Hughenden Park and stretching as far as Cryers Hill. The National Trust were seriously interested, and are naturally disappointed. Whoever bought it paid well over the agricultural rate for the area, I am told on good authority. The land was for sale as grazing and amenity land, the latter term having different interpretations by various estate agents. It is unlikely to be built on, except that one plot was sold 'with overage' (overage implies that any building is partly tied financially to the current vendor), but that applies to a distant future. The area which contains woodland and an SSSI has been well farmed in the past and hopefully will continue to be so.

January 24, 2003 12:00