Harvington (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Harvington

ANNUAL MEETING: The annual parish meeting was attended by five members of the public, but all councillors were present with the exception of Tom Bacon and John James, who sent apologies. Chairman Cllr Clive Allen welcomed all present and took the meeting quickly through the previous minutes and the clerk's yearly report. This encapsulated all the major events and concerns experienced by the village, with emphasis given to the flood alleviation plans, the drop-in day and the proposed purchase of land for a new village hall. John Redman followed with his report on this latter topic and in the question period which ensued, emphasised that the management committee intends to pursue its policy of finding and purchasing a plot of land as per the mandate given to them by the village at the public meeting held last year to decide on the most popular course of action.

His committee would not reconsider its options until this one had been thoroughly investigated and exhausted. He thanked village organisations and many individuals for their support and their efforts in money-raising and said he hoped that this village involvement would continue until the work of rebuilding was accomplished. Peter Oliver then summarised the findings from the drop-in day and the questionnaire which accompanied it and explained why he is trying to ensure that parts of the village are covered by his search for the best way to ensure the optimal way forward for the development of Harvington. He now has a full committee to assist in this task and hopes that they will have a first draft of both parish plan and design statement for consideration in the spring of 2007.

Dr Hugh Nunn then reported on his work as tree warden, reminiscing first about his early years in this job and then going on to say that he hopes to leave a legacy behind him (though not yet) of a leafy village approached through avenues of well-maintained trees. Brian Tarling, present to report from the school, was given a special welcome for taking on this task now that he is no longer required, under the new management structure, to do so. Those present were delighted to hear of the school's achievements and its plans for the immediate future, but there was concern about a proposed government proposal to have every school eventually offering what is known as wraparound-care whereby it has to be open from 8am to 6pm and providing food, supervision and numerous activities for children whose parents require these services.

Cllr Allen's speech was, largely, one of praise and thanks for the commitment shown to public service by members of the council during the last year and a promise of similar commitment by himself and them in the exciting period which is in prospect. County Cllr Clive Holt then spoke about his association with Harvington, saying how much he appreciated the chairman's remarks about him and reaffirming his pride in the village's achievements and his pleasure in being associated with them. He complimented the council on its agreement to help towards meeting the cost of the proposed flood-alleviation problem in Leys Road and its determination to have bottle collections established in the Wychavon area, saying that it is largely due to their persistence that the scheme will come into being later this year. This meeting was followed by the usual monthly meeting of the council.

VILLAGE PLAN AND DESIGN STATEMENT: The second drop-in day arranged by Peter Oliver and the committee responsible for tackling this essential task duty took place on the open green area in Blakenhurst on Sunday, April 23 as planned. It proved to be a disappointing occasion for the organisers. They had assembled a display of information on the lines of the first drop-in day held at the village hall on February 25 and had issued 230 invitations to the local inhabitants to attend on their own special day and give their views and express their feelings about the proposed new look for Harvington. To the committee's disappointment, only 12 people visited the marquee and though what they had to say was listened to with interest and noted, it was felt that they could hardly be said to represent that entire area. Mr Oliver says he is left wondering what he must do to rouse the interest of the village as a whole. Without it, the alternative is to go ahead and prepare the necessary document knowing that it will be the brainchild of a small group of people, which is not what he set out to do and what he is trying hard to avoid.

ST JAMES' CHURCH VILLAGE FETE: To be held on Saturday, June 24. By now, it is planned that every house in the village will have received a list of the many categories open to competition in the show marquee at this year's fete and the entry form which accompanies it. Many people have supported the idea of having a miniature show every summer as part of the fete, an idea which showed a pleasing result last year and which, it is hoped, will prove even more popular this time. Villagers have been asked to make this possible by being willing to enter for one or more categories and encouraging others to do so.