Metheringham Parish Council News - Winter 2008

Fayre & Feast
The Parish Council would like to thank the small number of volunteers who offered their help at this year's Fayre & Feast, without them the event could not go ahead. This year the event was themed around the Great War of 1914-18 and the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice. The parade to the cross was led by Metheringham Army Cadets and the Starlite Twirlers, at 2.00pm Richard Pullen a local historian performed the official opening of the 21st event alongside dignitaries from the local councils. The winner of the best decorated stall competition was awarded to MADSPA (Metheringham and District Swimming Pool Association) and the best decorated property was won by The Star and Garter Public House, congratulations to them both for their tremendous efforts. The Parish Council working group are desperately looking for volunteers for next year's event, if you can spare an hour or two please contact Tel: 0800 6343307.

Recreation fields
The Parish Council are still in negotiations with Lincolnshire County Council. We have not yet been able to sign the Heads of Terms agreement for the lease of the Star & Garter field, however we do believe this could be imminent as most of the outstanding issues have been resolved. Metheringham Parish Council and Lincolnshire County Council are still committed to providing better facilities for the community.

Remembrance Day Service
This year's service took place on Sunday 9 November at St Wilfrid's Church, Metheringham, a Memorial Service was held at the war memorial garden, High Street, followed by a short prayer at the war graves. It was wonderful to see so many people at the service and hope this gave you time to reflect. Thanks to Graham and Maggie at the Star & Garter for the very welcome coffee, tea and biscuits.

War Memorial
The war memorial is a focal point of the village centre, it was last cleaned in 1995, so was in desperate need of some attention. Some of you may have noticed and some of you may not, but it has now been professionally cleaned by Lincolnshire Co-op Masonry Department, this was carried out Free of Charge as a community project. The Parish Council would like to thank them for their expertise and in doing a wonderful job.

Youth Shelter
The new Youth/Meeting Shelter has now been in use for six months. The Parish Council would like to thank Community Links - Rural Fizz Fund and North Kesteven District Council - Young Peoples Fund for their generous donations and helping the project come to fruition. As previously stated the Police and Parish Council will continue to monitor the shelter and surrounding area.

Village Centre Regeneration Project
A questionnaire was produced in 2007 and circulated to all households in the village. Metheringham Parish Council compiled the results and the consensus was the village should retain a village centre cross.
Consultation has since taken place with Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council, a local stonemason Goldholme Stone has been contracted to carry out the work. The cross which has been chosen is similar in design to the original cross dating from 1911.
The cross will be manufactured from Stretton white stone, (a sample can be seen in Info-Links, High Street) and the project will be complete by March 2009 .
As many of you are aware new trellis and seats arrived outside the library recently. This has been an ongoing project which started in 2006. The project is led by Lincolnshire County Council, North Kesteven District Council and ArtsNK in conjunction with the Parish Council. Parishioners have been consulted from day one, information has been displayed on notice boards, in the MACLA magazine on the website and in the Lincolnshire Echo.
The design company was selected by Lincolnshire County Council, ArtsNK and the Parish Council as they had already completed the very successful Billinghay Regeneration Project. A series of workshops were held in the village in 2006/07 and were fairly well attended by the public. The scheme was advertised as a chance to create a garden on the theme of Mind and Body Health, picking up on the location. Electricwig (the design companies) approach was to run design and consultation sessions so that residents could help identify the sorts of things that might be appropriate, building on the passion for gardening and designing quality distinctive furniture. Unfortunately the Parish Council was not consulted on the final design before it was installed. The installation received widespread criticism and has since been removed for some modifications before it is re-installed, hopefully then to everyone's satisfaction.
Metheringham Parish Council would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Ms Sharon Wetherall
Clerk to Metheringham Parish Council
0800 6343307
clerk@metheringham.org.uk