News from Metheringham Parish Council

Fayre and Feast

The Fayre and Feast is over for another year and I would like to thank everyone who helped with the event for their efforts in making this a success. Obviously an event of this type is not without its critics. If you have any comments or views on our annual feast please let us know. The current format has been running for 19 years and it is unique to the area. We must look at how we keep this going in the years ahead. The main organization goes on year round and is undertaken by a Parish Council working group that relies heavily on the experience of Mike Credland. Our main problem is help on the day, in particular stewards to man checkpoints and patrol the event. If we are unable to find sufficient volunteers, the authorities will ban the event, so if you can spare a few hours on the day we need to hear from you now.

Princes Street Recreational Field
The main recreational field adjacent to Princes Street car park is the chance to share field. During term time it is for the exclusive use of the School. Please do not use this area during these times. In particular, dog walkers should avoid exercising their animals in this area. Teachers have enough to do looking after a the children, without having to keep a lookout for a loose dog running on the field.
Can we remind everyone with a dog that it is an offence to let it foul in a public area. This can be a major problem on the playing fields. Young children and numerous football teams use these areas. Would you like to fall in a pile of dog mess?

Parish Council Drop-In Surgery
In our efforts to make ther Parish Council more open to the community, a Drop-in Surgery will start on saturday 6 January 2007 from 10.30 to 12.00 noon at te INFO-Links office. We hope to continue this on the first Saturday of each month. In the stricted confidence the Parish Clerk and one of the Councillors will be available to answer your questions or just listen to your views on the village and the work of the Parish Council.
Can we also remind people that you are more than welcome to attend any of the Parish Council meetings and time is allocated to members of the public who wish to ask questions or raise issues with the Council. Check the Parish Council Notice Board near the War Memorial for time, date and place of Council Meetings.

A Parish Plan
How would you like to see your village develop in the future?
Over the next few months we will be asking this question in some considerable detail.
It is our intention to produce a Parish Plan which will then highlight areas that it is felt need developing and /or preserving. The MACLA group have already compiled a “business plan” in relation to the Pavilion / Changing Room Project, which is a big stepping stone to some of the information needed. Everyone in the community needs to be involved from businesses, youth groups, the School, the Churches and all leisure groups so we hope you will all become involved in this ambitious project

Parish plan
(please read in conjunction with Parish Council News)

What is a “Parish Plan?” - for those not familiar with it;
A Parish Plans is a document which looks to address important issued that can be expected to influence your neighbourhood in the foreseeable future. They are there for “you” to have the opportunity to be involved in the planning of your village and surrounding area. This can be anything from trying to improve public transport issues to the improving of street lighting in your village.
In principle the development of the plan is under the auspices of your parish council but it must take into consideration the views and opinions of the whole community. Every group, organisation, business and so on should have a chance to contribute. The final plan will identify key facilities and services and what problems there are that need to be addressed. It will also show what distinctive characteristic and features are already present and which need to be preserved. Its conclusion will be an Action Plan on a time scales as to how and when relevant issues should be addressed.
What is the importance of a “Parish Plan”
Once a “Parish Plan” is produced it can then be used as a “Footprint” to make sure local concerns are taken into account before any future plans are made by others. They can also be influential in the way in which local services are delivered. Parish Plans are becoming an important tool which can be implemented into other plans and strategies such as local development frameworks, where the needs of your village and surrounding area might not be adequately considered.
If you have strong views regarding the principle behind a Parish Plan or would be willing to be a part of a “Steering Party” which could develop such a plan please let the Editor or your Parish Clerk know.