April 2010 Archives

Mayfest 2010 is an exciting programme of activities that will be taking place throughout the month of May, bringing together all the villages along the Spires & Steeples route. Residents and visitors will be able to see just what makes each village special and unique by joining in with craft activities and guided walks, visiting open churches and chapels, watching the unveiling of new artworks and being part of unique drama and music performances.

The Spires and Steeples website has a downloadable leaflet outlining the planned activities. (pdf)

As a direct result of the Nocton Dairies planning application, a new website has been launched, campaigning against the type of farming that is proposed.

The site can be found at www.caffo.co.uk

From Dot Howes

Metheringham's Annual Parish Meeting on Tuesday concluded with a colourful and informative talk and presentation by Vivienne Chambers, a Volunteer with Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. The talk ended with fundraising examples and ideas to stir the audience to help raise the £1.5million needed each year to keep the helicopter flying.

Proceeds from the raffle during the evening were donated to the Ambulance.
Earlier in the evening Chairman of Metheringham Parish Council, Dr Mike Allen welcomed everyone and gave a report on the work of the Parish Coucnil for the past year. He highlighted the achievement of Quality Council Staus for which he thanked parish clerk Sharon Wetherall for all her hard work. The other big achievement was the New Village Cross unveiled at the Fayre and Feast. The optimism of last year's meeting when it looked as if the plans for a safe and secure playing field for Metheringham might at last be coming to fruition was premature and the County Council are still holding up plans. Sadly this has also impacted on the long term plans for improvements to changing room and toilet facilities for the playing fields and swimming pool.

Work has though been undertaken to tidy up the Spring Garden on Drury Street and the WI gate is open again. It was requested that a sign should indicate where it is.
Outdoor exercise equipment has now been installed alongside the car park at the Prince's Street Play Area. There is also some new children's equipment.

The accounts and budget for the council show a projected reduction in income for the coming year. It is hoped there will be a reduction in spending on street lighting although increases in play area and administration costs were expected to be higher.

The 2010 Fayre and Feast will be on 23rd October and once again there was a request for more stewards and also teams to help with setting up and dismantling stalls at either end of the event. The parish council thanked the management committees of the Bowls Club, the Village Hall and the Swimming Pool for keeping these amenities up and running on their behalf with the constant struggle for volunteers and to keep within changing legislation.

The Silver Sounds brass band entertained the audience with a short selection of tunes and began the reports from village organisations.

Other organisations speaking were Metheringham Fire and Rescue, the Methodist Church, Metheringham and District Swimming Pool Association, Mission X children's and youth clubs, Metheringham Amateur Drama, The army Cadet Force and Metheringham and Dunston LIVES. During the sumptuous and very elegant buffet the public were able to look at displays from the Police, the Community led Plan, the Methodist Church, Metheringham Animal welfare supporters group ( MAWS), Countryside NK, MAD and the Air Ambulance. District Councillor Bill Chambers gave a vote of thanks to the parish council for arranging the evening and to all involved in all the groups that keep the community alive.

Metheringham Parish Council made a presentation to Butch and Maggie, (Graham Bromfield and Maggie Kirsten) formerly proprietors of the Star and Garter, at the Annual Village meeting on Tuesday 27th April. Dr Mike Allen, Chairman of the council said that the Star and Garter under their management had always been happy to provide a venue for meetings and they had been a tremendous asset to the community through their help and involvement in village activities. He did not expect things to be quite the same again. While receiving a framed dedication with a photograph of the new cross outside the Star and Garter Butch assured the community that he and Maggie will still be resident in the village and will still want to help village groups where they can.

St Wilfrid's Church will be the venue for a night of Songs from The Shows performed by the Hi-Notes on Friday 14th May 2010 at 7.30p.m.
Tickets are £5.00 and there will be nibbles.

From Dot Howes

The Spring Fayre will take place in the village hall on Saturday 8th May 2010 between 9.30a.m. and 1.30p.m.. Raffle and refreshements will be available and stalls have been booked by many local groups and individuals. There will be plants, jewellery, crafts, bric-a-brac and games and activities. To book a stall contact Gwyneth Holland on 01526 322633.

Metheringham Village Hall Management committee held its' Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 20th April at 7.30p.m..There were 15 people present. In her report the Chairman said the year had been less hectic partly because of the delays in plans to put up a children's fenced play area in the car park for the pre-school. This has now reached the planning application stage and the awning is in place. Work done during the year included stripping and se-sealing the floor. The retiring caretaker/ manager, John Harrison; booking clerk, Anne Harrison; and the cleaner, Carole Knox were all thanked for the incredible amount of work they put into keeping the village hall used and in excellent condition. Rob Halls is the new caretaker and bookings officer. Currently applications are being received for a new cleaner and in the meantime groups are asked to leave the hall as clean if not cleaner than they find it. It had been suggested that the side door should be locked at night again to reduce vandalism and also to give pre-school their own key. The treasurer presented the accounts which showed a loss of £1719.43 during the year which was better than the previous year but on purely operating costs showed a loss of £600. This showed the importance of fundraising which last year raised £2321. The accounts were accepted.

The committee had agreed to use a local accountants to administer the PAYE for staff. Jenni Honisett, Gwyneth Holland and Cliff Tompkins were re-elected as Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary respectively. Other trustees making up the committee are Mr John Duggins, Ronnie Wright (WI), Dian Robinson ( District Swimming Pool Association),Nick Dobbs (Parish council), Pauline Ventress (Badminton), Sue Clark (over 60s), Pat Healey (MAD), Anna Russell (Pre-School), Margaret Amos (St Wilfrid's Church PCC).

The committee have several fundraising activities planned for the coming months, the first of which is the Spring Fayre on 8th May. The recent 50:50 sale raised £165.
Items raised included licensing for functions in the hall, the use of the PA system for regular hall users, the delays regarding the pre- school fenced play area and the use of CCTV to catch the vandals who have broken roof slates. MAD notified the committee that the useful keyboard has apparently been swapped with a broken one while in the hall. If anyone know the whereabouts of the Yamaha keyboard that MAD use please could they contact either MAD or the village hall. Dr Mike Allen, chairman of Metheringham Parish Council expressed the council's thanks to the management committee for all the work they do and the fundraising undertaken. He said the hall is a wonderful asset for the village and the villagers owe a debt of gratitude to those who maintain and have maintained it in such excellent condition.

Metheringham Amateur Dramatics (MAD) will be performing at the Playhouse in Sleaford next weekend in an evening of one-act plays as part of Sleaford Live 2010. The other performers will be Sleaford little Theatre and the Horncastle Theatre Company. MAD will be presenting a shortened version of the Shakespeare Review they performed in Metheringham last year. The shows are on Friday 30th April and Saturday 1st May at 7.30p.m.. Tickets are £5 available from Keith Dolby Jewellers or at the door on the night.

AGENDA

1. Introduction:
- Councillor Dr Michael Allen
Chairman Metheringham Parish Council

2. Notes of the last Annual Village Meeting held on 28th April 2009 to be approved and signed as the minutes

3. Annual Parish Council Report
- Cllr Dr Michael Allen

4. Question Time Session

5. Reports from village organizations

6. Break for refreshments, a chance to view exhibits and socialize with guest speaker and representatives from the village organizations.

7. Guest Speaker:
- Vivienne Chambers - Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance

8. Date, time and venue of next meeting: To be announced.

Signed:
Councillor Dr M J Allen
Chairman to Metheringham Parish Council
Date: 16th April 2010

From Dot Howes

The Annual Village Meeting takes place in the village hall on Tuesday 27th April at 7.00p.m.. Several village organisations will be represented with either short talks or displays and information. If you aren't sure, come along and find out more. This year's guest speaker is from the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. There will also be a report from the parish council and the opportunity to ask questions.

This is the last week with Butch as landlord of the Star and Garter.
He is moving on to the Ferry Boat Inn at Washingborough and will soon be followed by the rest of the core staff.

Metheringham Football Club raised around £500 at the Race Night at the Star & Garter on Friday night and would like to thank all those who supported the event.

Metheringham Over 60s have signed on their members for the coming year and set about their summer programme already. On 28th April they visit Long Sutton and in May there is entertainment from Just Chilled on Wednesday 5th May and a trip to Norwich on the 12th.

Minutes PL08/2010 of the Planning Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 10th March 2010 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall

<First published in Rodney Garlant's blog - 'Blankney Journal' - 29 January 2009. Used with permission.>

In her book, Henry Chaplin a Memoir, his daughter The Marchioness of Londonderry writes, 'an old yellow sheet of paper has been preserved on which in faded ink is written , A List of the Company as they danced at the Masquerade at Blankney, the 9th January 1749'. Shortly before the masquerade Diana Chaplin had been married and it is thought the event may of been held in her honour. Her father Thomas Chaplin had died in 1747 and it was presumed his unmarried son John Chaplin, Diana's brother, hosted the occasion. Today's poem was written based on details from that faded piece of paper and accompanying notes.

This interactive representation of the Civil Parish Boundaries within the Metheringham Area is derived from data extracted from the Ordnance Survey Boundary Line dataset. The data is used in accordance with the OS Open Data Licence. The mapping interface is built using the Google Maps API

For Metheringham Civil Parish, this new map replaces the previous manually encoded one with definitive data from the Ordnance Survey.

A few days ago, there was a post about the delights of Street View in our area. The MACLA Web Team is pleased to announce the arrival of Street View on our very own website. A fully interactive map is now available at the Metheringham Area Street View page.

On the top map click anywhere there's a road or street with a blue outline. A few seconds later a360 degree panorama will appear underneath it. You can move the map around by leftclick+dragging. As before, if nothing happens, you will need to install the Adobe Flash plugin for your browser.

Have fun.

The Weaver

At the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre - in the old gymnasium - on Wednesday 28th April 2010 at 7.30pm. Admission: Members free, Visitors £5.00 including tea/coffee and biscuits.

Enquiries to: Friends of Metheringham Airfield, Westmoor Farm, Martin Moor, Metheringham, Lincoln LN4 3BQ. Tel: 01526 378270/604

Access and facilities for the Disabled. All proceeds in aid of the Visitor Centre / 106 Sqn Museum.

From Dot Howes

Health Care will be the subject of April's WI meeting with Sean Barkes on Wednesday 21st April at 7.15p.m. in the village hall. The competition will be for something beginning with B.

Metheringham Village Hall Management Committee hold their Annual General Meeting in the village hall on Tuesday 20th April at 7.30p.m.
Any nominations for positions should be with the secretary by 13th April.
The new booking clerk for the village hall is Rob Halls and he can be contacted on 01526 321807. The hall is kept free of regular bookings on Friday and Saturday evenings for private parties, one off functions etc.

Present:
Miss Storr Chair
Ms.Wilson Vice-Chair
Mr.Askew
Mr. Morris
Mr.Rumbelow
Mr.Watchus
Mr.Chambers D.Cllr.
Mrs.Green Clerk
Mr.S.Gordon PC
Mr.Flannigan PCSO
Mr.Sidney Litter Picker
28 members of the public

Apologies: D.Cllr.Rose, P.Cllr.Capewell, C.Cllr.Overton

1) Declaration of Prejudicial Interest in Accordance With the Ethical Code of
Conduct: None

2) Police: There have been 2 crimes of burglary since the February meeting. Still problems with the hospital site. Police will be on hand for the public meeting but will not take sides.

3) Public Questions: Trees/shrubs have still not been cut back by the Hall grounds.
Many questions concerning the proposed Nocton Dairy, the P.e. comments on the
plans can be viewed on the NKDC website. The P.C. will send further comments.
The Environment Agency not in favour, LCC Highways have requested more
information, Lincolnshire Life object, Rural England want more information, The
Archaeological Agency have finished digging. Until all these reports are available
to the P.C. to study final comments cannot be sent.
It was agreed that an Extraordinary Parish meeting would be called for Tuesday
March 16th to follow the applicants open meeting on March 15th
Ms. Wilson declared a Prejudicial Interest and stepped down.

4) Litter: Mr.Sidney was paid for litter picking in February.

5) A manager at The Woodland Trust has purchased the wooded area between Nocton and the Wasps Nest junction, he has planned a tree planting event for Saturday the 13th of March and invited everyone along. His intention is to extend the woodland
and provide public walks. He hopes in future to obtain a license for the area to become a natural burial ground.

The Minutes of the February meeting were proposed as correct by Mr.Morris, seconded by Mr.Askew and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising: 184/09see166/09) Some potholes have been filled in but other highways issues outstanding.
185/09see167/09) Safety mirror info lost, will obtain more.
186/09see168/09) Play area - still no reply from LCC Brendan Prichard.
187/09see169/09) The clerk to reply to the response from the residents of Wasps Nest re: the BT red kiosk.
188/09see171/09) No filing cabinets yet.
189/09see172/09) The allotments - a problem with a overhead power cable.
190/09see174/09) The P.C. choice of a bench sent to Sue Chambers.
191/09see183/09) The clerk had spoken to Sue Chambers regarding possible grant funding for heating the village hall, she recommended all the ones previously applied to.

Village Hall 192/09) The AGM last month, all officers re-elected. A coffee morning to be held tomorrow. Monday March 15th a Pot Luck Lunch 12 - 2pm tickets £4

Equal Opportunities 193/09) Nothing to discuss.

Nocton Hall 194/09) English Heritage are looking at 4 tenders for the work, 3 -4 weeks for a decision.

Letters: 195/09a) NKDC Agenda Standards Committee 10th Feb
b) Marshalls re: driveway/hard standing
c) NSPCC info poster
d) Society of Local Council Clerks - Training Employment Matters
e) LCC re: Grit Bins
f) LCC Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund
g) Sue Chambers cluster notes from Jan.27th
h) NKDC calendar of meetings
i) W.Lindsey D.C. re: Consultation on Best Locations gypsy/traveller sites
j) SID report from January
k) NKDC re: Parliamentary Elections 2010
l) Rt.Hon. Douglas Hogg QC,MP re: Nocton Dairy plans
m) Energy Saving Trust
n) NKDC Youth Awards 2009/10
o) NKDC Summery of Housing Register
p) NKDC Protocol for Handling Complaints
q) NKDC 'Brains of Kesteven' quiz night
r) CPRE Best Kept Village Competition
s) NKDC What's On

Planning 196/09 a) NKDC Application 09/1040/FUL Nocton Dairy + amended plan
A member of the public stated that most objectors have no idea of what it will be
b) LCC Application PL\006\10 Anaerobic Digester Nocton Fen

Finance 197/09a) NKDC re: Emptying dog waste bins charge 2010/11 £90 per bin
b) LALC affiliation fee due £175.33 eh, signed
c) CPRE affiliation fee due £25 eh. signed
d) Litter Picker check signed for £40. eh. signed
e) NKDC inv. emptying dog waste bins £360 eh. signed
f) e.on inv. maintenance £1 04.48 eh, signed
g) Clerks Feb. 2010 sal. £168.72 exp £4.45 (£173.17 ch.signed)

Any Other Business 198/09) Mr. Watchus raised the possibility of unrest at the planned public meeting on the 15th March, but we need to listen to the parishioners.
Mr.Askew said that as the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee he would take
advice from the police and if necessary cancel the meeting. It was agreed to arrange
an Extraordinary Parish Meeting for Tuesday March 16th.

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Tuesday the 6th of April 2010 at 7pm in
the village hall.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8pm

Present:
Ms. Wilson Vice-Chair
Mr.Askew
Mr.Capewell
Mr.Morris
Mr.Rumbelow
Mr. Rose D.Cllr.
Mrs. Green Clerk
Ms. Duckworth PCSO
Mr.Sidney Litter Picker
2 parishioners

Apologies: D.Cllr.Chambers, P.Cllr's. Storr & Watchus, C.Cllr.Overton

1. Police: There was no reported crime. Gave info on the works at the B 1188/B1202 junction. A suspicious person had been seen going towards the church. A loaded wagon had been seen leaving the Hall. The police had stopped a
wagon taking scrap from the site, the driver said he had permission from LEDA to
remove scrap, when contacted LEDA representative said no permission given but
not interested in prosecuting. The possibility of asbestos being disturbed was
discussed and the police are to contact LEDA re: this. D.Cllr.Rose will mention it
to Environmental Health.
A noisy Subaru is causing a nuisance in the village.

2) Litter: Mr.Sidney was paid for the litter picking in January and left the meeting.

3) Public Questions: None.

1. Declaration of Prejudicial Interest in Accordance With the Ethical Code of
Conduct: None

5) In the absence of Miss Storr Ms. Wilson Chaired the meeting

The Minutes of the January meeting were proposed as correct by Mr.Rumbelow, seconded by Mr.Capewell and signed by the Vice-Chair.

Matters Arising: 166/09see147/09) The clerk had spoken to Steve Welsh on the Outstanding Highways matters.
167/09see148/09) Safety mirror info still with a councillor.
168/09see149/09) Play area -letter sent to LCC Brendan Prichard no reply yet.
169/09see150/09) The response from the residents of Wasps Nest re: the BT red kiosk is still with a parish councillor.
170/09see151/09) see item 159/09 above re: Grass verge B1202 Potterhanworth Road
171/09see152/09) No filing cabinets yet, there is a outlet of second hand office furniture on the High Street by Dixon Street in Lincoln .
172/09see153/09) The allotments have been marked out.
173/09see154/09) see item 159/09 above re: Cllr. Watchus is still not happy with the LCC Highways refusing to lower the footway at the B1202/B1188 junction.
174/09see155/09) Not chosen a bench yet, need to do so soon.
175/09see156/09) The clerk had written to Mrs.Maddox enclosing a copy of the reply received from LCCHighways .
176/09see156/09) D.Cllr.Rose asked if a response had been sent to Steven Priestly? Miss Storr had replied.

Village Hall 177/09) The AGM tomorrow evening. A coffee morning to be held next Wednesday as usual.

Equal Opportunities 178/09) Nothing to discuss.

Nocton Hall 179/09) NKDC have appointed Anderson & Glenn local consultant Architects, a meeting with them and English Heritage on Friday, English Heritage are getting more involved now.

Letters: 180/09a) NKDC re: 5th NK Annual Monitoring Report 2008/09
a. Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Richard Crompton 6 month update
b. NKDC Agenda for Metheringham cluster meeting 27th Jan.
c. NKDC re: Polling Districts
d. NKDC re: Register of Interest
e. East Midlands Fire & Rescue Control Centre
f. Clerks and Councils Direct + Wicksteed ad.
g. Clarks and Councils Direct Suppliers Guide
i) NKDC What's On

Planning 182/09) NKDC Permission 09/0946/HOUS single story ext. 2 Nocton Park Rd
NKDC Application 09/0961/HOUS single story ext. 3 Lincoln Rd.
The D.Cllr. said the Nocton Dairy plans are about to be ratified by NKDC there
will be a 13 week consultation period, comments to be in by 3rd March.

Finance 183/09 a) Lloyds savings no.4 £12604.31. ch/acc.no.5 £181.38
a. Lloyds new cheque book
b. The clerk had contacted e.on re: the £ 317.58 bill, advised to pay half that amount
and a new invoice would be sent for the October 1/4 . A cheque for £158.79 sent.
c. Litter Picker check signed for £40.
d. Clerks Jan. 2010 sal. £168.72 exp £7.48 (£176.20 ch.signed)

Precept 184/09) Applied for £7875

Any Other Business 185/09a) Mr.Morris said the heaters in the V.H. had been on most of the day and people still complained of the cold, suggested extra insulation in the roof. The clerk will make enquiries about available grants for heating.

a. NKDC Planning Officers want to meet with P.Cllrs. on Wednesday 10th or
Thursday 11th Feb. re: the Nocton Dairy plans, agreed to arrange for Thursday 11th.

The next meeting was arranged for Tuesday the 9th of March 2010 at 7pm in
the village hall.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.30pm

Present:
Miss Storr Chair
Mr.Askew
Mr.Capewell
Mr.Rumbelow
Mr.Chambers D.Cllr.
Mrs.Green Clerk
Mr.Flannigan PCSO
Mr.Sidney Litter Picker
3 parishioners

Apologies: D.Cllr.Rose, P.Cllr.s Morris.Watchus, & Wilson, C.Cllr.Overton

1) Police: There has been four reports of damage to property over the Christmas period.

2) Litter: Martin Sidney was paid for the litter picking in December and left the meeting.

3) Public Questions: It was commented that the Christmas tree outside the village hall was small,( co-op may help with lights). Will the art work planned for the outside of the village hall be open for the public to make comments prior to it being installed?
A play area update? nothing as yet.

1. Declaration of Prejudicial Interest in Accordance With the Ethical Code of
Conduct: None

The Minutes of the December meeting were proposed as correct by Mr. Askew, seconded by Mr.Rumbelow and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising: 147/09 see 129/09) Miss Storr had had no success in contacting Highways
148/09see130/09) Safety mirror, not ordered yet as all info is still with a councillor.
149/09see131/09) Play area -letter to LCC Brendan Prichard not yet sent.
150/09see132/09) Mr. Morris has left the response from the residents of Wasps Nest re: the BT red kiosk for the parish councillors comments.
151/09see133/09) Grass verge B1202 Potterhanworth Road, the Chair unable to get through to LCC Highways regarding this.
152/09see134/09) No filing cabinets yet.
153/09seeI35/09) No more info on Nocton Park allotments.
154/09see136/09) Cllr. Watchus had informed the clerk that he is not happy with the LCC Highways refusing to lower the footway at the B1202/B1188 junction.
155/09see138/09) No progress on a bench, next cluster meeting here on January 27th
156/09see146/09d) The clerk had written to LCC Highways enclosing a copy of the letter from Mrs.Maddox, a reply received and a copy to be sent to Mrs.Maddox.
156/09see142/09) D.Cllr.Chambers said the parish council need to send their comments on the affordable housing to Steven Priestly very soon. Housing
associations not interested in purchasing existing housing.

Village Hall 157/09) No committee meeting this month, the AGM will be held on February 3rd A coffee morning to be held tomorrow.
Equal Opportunities 158/09) Nothing to discuss.
Nocton Hall 159/09) All consultants tenders are in and a decision should be made by the end of January

Letters: 160/09a) NKDC Consultation Draft - Delivering Rural Affordable Housing in NK Rural Housing Plan
a. NKDC registers of electors
b. LCC Fire & Rescue's Integrated Risk Management Plan 2010/2011
c. NKDC cluster news
d. emdanews
1) NKDC What's On
a. LCC Highways reply to our letter
b. NKDC re: Corporate Priorities Consultation
c. NKDC memorandum re: determining planning applications
d. RalfTimms re: Annual Litter Pick
e. Terry O'Tool Theatre programs
l) Notts Sports re: pitch surfaces
m) Lincolnshire Police Authority re: appointing Independent Members

Planning 161/09) NKDC Permission N/42/0919/08 2 story ext. Kelkerd House
NKDC Application 09/0946/HOUS erect single story side ext. 2 Nocton Park Rd.
NKDC Trees N310/6 at 42 Wegberg Rd.

Finance 162/09a) Lloyds savings no.3 £10543.82. ch/acc.noA £30.15
a. NKDC remittance advice £2700 for work on the car park
b. Hemswell Contracting receipt
c. e.on invoice for maintenance £102.26 (ch. signed)
d. e.on invoice power (2 quarters) £ 317.58 (ch.signed) but clerk to check with e.on.
1) Clerks December sal. £168.72 exp £4 (£172.72 ch. signed)
g) NKDC precept forms

Precept 163/09) After studying the prepared statements and a discussion it was proposed by Mr.Askew seconded by Mr.Capewell and all present agreed to increase the precept by 5%, the amount to be applied for being £7875

Any Other Business 164/09a) The subsidence to the village hall appears to be active again, the clerk will contact Ward Cole
a. The state of the roads is deteriorating with the melting snow.

The next meeting was confirmed as Tuesday the 2nd of February 2010 at 7pm in the village hall.

Present:
Miss Storr Chair
Ms,Wilson Vice-Chair
Mr.Askew
Mr.Capewell
Mr.Morris
Mr.Rumbelow
Mr.Watchus
Mr.Rose D.Cllr.
Mrs.Overton C.Cllr.
Mrs. Green Clerk
Mr.Priestley Strategy Manager NKDC Planning
Mr.Sidney Litter Picker
2 parishioners

Apologies: D.Cllr.Chambers, PCSO Flannigan

1) Police: nothing to report

1. Litter: Martin Sidney has done two months litter picking and has not yet been paid, agreed to pay him £40 per month. A cheque for £80 signed and given to him, and he left the meeting.

2. Public Questions: When will the bushes bordering the Hall Grounds between the Manor Farm corner and the corner of Potterhanworth Road be cut back

4) Declaration of Prejudicial Interest in Accordance With the Ethical Code of Conduct: None

The Minutes of the November meeting after amendment were proposed as correct
by Mr.Askew, seconded by Mr.Rumbelow and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising: 129/09 see111/09) The clerk had spoken to Steve Welsh and a letter received.

130/09see115/09) Safety mirror, the clerk has some info for councillors to study.

131/09see117/09) Play area-letter to LCC Brendan Prichard Capitol Development Team not yet sent, awaiting a map.

132/09see118/09) Mr.Morris has had no response from the residents of Wasps Nest yet re: the BT red kiosk.

133/09see120/09) Grass verge B1202 Potterhanworth Road, the Chair is to ring LCC Highways regarding this.

134/09see121/09) The clerk has not bought filing cabinets yet, it was suggested some be kept in the cloak room in the V.H, this to be raised at a committee meeting.

135/09see128/09a) 20 Nocton Park residents interested in allotments, hopefully will be able to offer to the rest of the village early next year.

136/09see128/09b) Letter from LCC Highways states that hopefully funds will be available to install dropped crossings on the footways in the village through the PRI scheme next year. The footpath opposite the village hall is to be cleaned by the Fly Gang the second week in January. The request for a dropped crossing at the B1202/B1188 junction was refused. Highways are looking at continuing the single white edge line from the B1188 round and into the bell mouth of the B1202 until it narrows.

137/09see128/09c) Leaves on the highway are NKDC responsibility.

138/09see128/09e) Info on benches from NKDC Metheringham Cluster

Village Hall 139/09) A committee meeting tomorrow evening. A coffee morning Wednesday next week. The Christmas Fayre raised £363. A parishioner said the fayre was very good, the photography competition fantastic.

Equal Opportunities 140/09) Nothing to discuss.

Nocton Hall 141/09) Urgent Works tender due back on Friday, hoping to serve papers in early January.

142see112/09) Steven Priestley said there were 61 replies to the survey, none requested affordable housing in Nocton. He then referred to NKDC Housing Needs Register:- 9 with local connection to Nocton indicated Nocton as a 1st choice preference, a total of 37 registered interest in Nocton. Councillors thought that the survey report was not the result of the survey conducted in the parish, Mr.Priestly said he consulting the NKDC Housing Register and including this is normal practice in these surveys. It was pointed out that there are affordable houses available on Nocton Park. Mr.Morris asked if it would be possible for a Housing Association to purchase these? It is difficult but possible. Could Mr.Priestly encourage housing associations to purchase, modernise and bring up to standard for renting?
A Local Development Framework is being established
Mr.Priestly was thanked for attending and left: the meeting.

143/09) C.Cllr.Overton gave a report on her latest newsletter. Relate Lincolnshire have been granted £475000. A trial Sunday bus service is running between
Lincoln/Boston/Spalding we are encouraged to use this service or it may be
withdrawn.

Letters: 144/09a) LCC Gritting Routes 2009/10
a. NKDC re: Text Reporting
b. NKDC Housing Needs Survey
c. LCC Area Response Team
d. Clerks and Councils Direct
e. Lincolnshire Playing Fields Association
f. NKDC re: Fly-Tipping Hot Spots
h) NKDC Refuse/Recycling Collections over the Christmas period
a. NKDC Cluster benches
b. LCe Highways re: work
c. NKDC Action Plan .- Parish Partnership Evaluation Workshop
1) Rural Links magazine
m) Land Registry
n) Mrs.Maddox

Planning nothing

Finance 145/09a) Lloyds savings £13903.27. ch/acc. £17228
a. NKDC £314.26 litter picking grant
b. Hemswell Contracting inv, £3105 for car park (ch.signed.) £300 discount to go
towards safety mirror
c. Clerks November sal. £168.72 exp £1.50 (£170.22 ch.signed)

Any Other Business 146/09a) Mr.Fernley had contacted the clerk re: missing cats-eyes, the large puddle in the car park and surface water on the corner by the Hall gates. These concerns had been raised with highways
a. Ms. Wilson said The Christmas Market would be covered by media students on
radio 107.22
c) Cars parked on the B 1202 towards the Post Office are a danger to road users.
d) The clerk will write to LCC Highways and enclose copy of Mrs.Maddox letter
a. Mr.Morris is studying the quarry survey and will write a response as it has to be in
by 19th Dec.

The next meeting was arranged for Tuesday the 12th of January 2010 at 7pm in the village hall.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.07pm

Nocton Dairies Ltd are proposing to build a large diary farm holding over 8000 cattle on Nocton/Dunston Heath. It will be the first time that such a large capacity farm has been built in the UK. The planning application has aroused controversy and is polarising local opinion.

Nocton Dairies on their own website outline some of what they are planning and have including a FAQ section where they answer some questions about their plans.

Facebook, the social networking site, has a very active page (over 4000 members) regarding the proposal.

You don't have to be a Facebook member to read the comments . You do have to be a member if you want to contribute to the discussion.

Opponents of the proposal have published an information leaflet

There's also an e-Petition on the Government's own site.

(thanks to Geoff Hall for the above - from his blog, Nocton in Lincolnshire)

Finally, the people of Metheringham and it surrounding area can now get to see what has been causing all the fuss in the media. Google Street View is now available for our area.

To access it you will need to navigate to the Google Maps website. Search for Metheringham (or other village name) and the map will zoom to the village. Once there, drag the little orange pegman onto the map and most of the streets will turn blue. Drop the pegman onto the blue part of street you want to see and wait for a few seconds whilst the image renders. You will be presented with a lovely 360 degree panorama from the middle of the street. See if you can find your street. Is your house shown?

Most of the images were captured last summer (2009) and Google reckon to have covered 95% of the UK. A remarkable feat. So far I've noticed that bits of Caroline Street and Prince's Street are missing.

The fuss in the media was over privacy issues. Some people thought that Google were invading their privacy by capturing the images. Google have 'fuzzed out' people's faces and car number plates in an a attempt to assuage people's fears.

Here are a couple of examples to get you started. Just click on the link or image and it'll take you directly there. Allow a few seconds for the image to render.

Have fun searching for your favourite!

The Weaver

Team photos of the 2009-2010 Season have now been published online.

Thanks to Pete Ford for supplying the images.

Minutes of the Metheringham Sots Hole and Tanvats Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 23rd February 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Minutes of the Metheringham Sots Hole and Tanvats Special Meeting of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 03rd March 2010 at 7.30pm in the Methodist Chapel School Room.