October 2018 Minutes
A meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum was held on Monday 22nd October 2018, in the Station Road Pavilion, Heighington, and started at 19.30hrs.
Present:
Councillor D Chantler – Forum Chairman
Councillor C Watson
Councillor P Spencer
Councillor B Webster
Councillor V Sargent
Customer Service Manager – E Salter
Organisations:
Mr L Creasey – Heighington Bowls Club
Mrs J Kennedy – Guiding Movement
Mrs D Shenton – Heighington Wives
Mrs P Edwards – Heighington & District Gardening Club
Mr K Salter – Picnic in the Park Volunteer
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming those present.
7/A/18 Apologies and Declarations of Interest
Apologies for absence had been received from M Barr (Heighington 1st Guides) and A Buckley-Jones (Games Group).
There were no declarations of interest or dispensations sought.
8/A/18 To approve the draft notes from the last meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum on Monday 25th June 2018
The draft notes from the meeting of Monday 25th June 2018 were agreed and approved as minutes.
9/A/18 Officer’s Report & Parish Council update
a. Wildlife Strips
The Property Services Committee has agreed to leave the area from the southern boundary to the tree line to grow naturally at Station Road Recreation Ground and Potterhanworth Road Sports Field. There will be a review at the autumn meeting of the Property Services Committee.
b. Crafted Poppies for Remembrance
The Parish Council has again received a fantastic response to our request for handcrafted poppies and we have now installed all the newly crafted poppies onto the netting and wreath formers. We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in this activity including the Guiding Groups & Mrs Chantler. Special thanks go to Mrs Diane Shenton who has knitted 575 poppies for this year’s display. The display can be viewed from Wednesday 7th November to Wednesday 14th November at St. Thomas’ Church. The Lincolnshire Echo has featured us in the October 18th edition and the Lincolnite will be attending the Church at 1 pm on the 7th November to run a story. It is hoped with the publicity that people will come to view the poppies from further away. The Silent Solider is now on display in the memorial garden at St. Thomas’.
c. Summer Holiday Activities
Hurricane Sports Foundation delivered two days of sporting fun over the summer holidays. Children had the opportunity to take part in sports such as tennis, archery, dodgeball, hockey and the slightly wacky space hopper racing. 80 children attended the events and it is hoped that Hurricane Sports will return again.
d. Speed Sign
The Parish Council would like to thank Councillor Watson and Mr K Salter for regularly changing the location of the speed sign within the village. It is hoped that with continued use people will drive sensibly and stick to the speed limit in the village.
e. Regular Hirer Bookings
The Customer Service Manager would like to ask that all regular hirers complete and return the booking form when requested to do so, the information is needed for insurance and invoicing purposes. Should you need to cancel your booking please let the office know as soon as possible as your times can be offered to other users. The office is aware that sometimes late cancellation notice is unavoidable. Please note that invoices will not be amended for late bookings and cancellations.
f. Emergency Plan
Heighington Parish Council is in the process of preparing an emergency plan, so that as a community we can help ourselves if something was to happen in our village. An open meeting will take place on Friday 30th November in the Jubilee Hall from 4.00pm – 6.30pm. Please come along and see how you may be able to help.
g. Road Closure – Heighington Road
Work on the Heighington Road section of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass is set to start on Tuesday 20th November and is expected to take eleven months to complete. Diversion routes will be in place. More information can be found at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/leb.
10/A/18 To discuss arrangements for a Christmas meal for older residents of the village on Friday 14th December.
The Christmas meal will take place on Friday 14th December in the Jubilee Hall. This year’s meal will be provided by Good Lookin Cookin. The Customer Service Manager is pleased to confirm that Millfield Primary Academy Choir will be performing for the residents. The event has already been advertised in the Sheepwash Times and posters will go on display over the coming weeks. The Chairman asked members of the forum for donations of raffle prizes and drink to serve alongside the meal. Councillor Sargent offered to help on the day.
11/A/18 To consider a theme for the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 4th March 2019.
The Parish Council will host the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 4th March 2019 in the Jubilee Hall. Forum members were asked for their ideas for a theme for the meeting; ideas included a talk on road safety, an update on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and a speaker from the Alzheimer’s Society. The ideas will be put to Council for ratification nearer the time. There was some discussion about the Emergency Plan, Councillor Watson explained to members that he hopes to have the plan completed by Christmas.
12/A/18 To discuss arrangements and participation in “Picnic in the Park 2019” on Saturday 15th June 2019.
Picnic in the Park will take place on Saturday 15th June 2019 at Potterhanworth Road Recreation Ground; times are still to be confirmed. The Customer Service Manager informed members that the Royal Vulcan Cheerleaders, Mister Paul and Party workshops will be involved again next year. Louth Classic Car Club had contact the Customer Service Manager earlier in the month and has confirmed that they will be taking part. There was some general discussion about using party tents from the Primary School to save the expense of the marquee, it was noted that more volunteers would be needed to erect and dismantle them. Councillor Spencer informed members that the Community Relations Team at RAF Cranwell or Conningsby may be able to assist on the day. It was agreed that Councillor Watson and the Customer Service Manager would work together to produce a management plan.
13/A/18 Reports from village organisations
Heighington Bowls Club
The Club has had a good season both on and off the green. The club was successful in obtaining a lottery grant to purchase a new up to date mower, Mr Creasey thanked the new Chairman Paul Howden and explained that he is working on further projects to improve the facilities for members and visitors. Mrs M Howden did not seek reappointment as President of the club after 14 years in the post. Mrs Howden has been a member of the club for 46 years and has held various positions on the committee and as Captain or Vice-Captain of various teams. The club will shortly have a representative on the Lincoln & District League Committee when the new President Mr G Todd takes up his duties for the 2018/19 season. The finals day was held in good weather and it will be nice to see some new names going on the honours board this season.
Eight members attended the Lincoln & District presentation evening to collect a trophy for finishing runners up in division 1 and the Jubilee Plate which was won by the Lincoln & District team. The Cliff league finished 4th place in the top division but unfortunately both the City Evening and Afternoon teams will be relegated from their respective A divisions.
Work on the green is complete for this year apart from an extra cut which will f course depend on the weather. Overall it has been a good year for the club with increase in membership as well as some success on the green.
Heighington Wives
Numbers have declined over the past months due to members getting older and not wanting to turn out in the colder weather. It has been suggested that the group change their name to encourage younger people to join the group. The group are holding a Christmas sales table at the November meeting and are looking forward to their Christmas lunch at Washingborough Hall Hotel.
Heighington & District Gardening Club
The club is struggling to find new members and are considering a leaflet drop on the new estate. Numbers are around 20 - 25 at each meeting. There was some general discussion about the Club holding the produce show at Picnic in the Park to try to encourage younger members to join the club. The theme of this month’s meeting is Bonsai.
Guiding Movement
All groups are doing well. Guides are relying on parent helpers at the moment due to a lack of leaders. Heighington 1st Brownies are hoping to gain more members in January when the Rainbows move up. The Guiding Association are changing the programme and it now needs to be put into practice.
Film Club
The response from the questionnaire that was sent out earlier in the year was fantastic, however since then the committee is no longer running and is now looking for new members that could help run a film club in the village.
Lincolnshire Heritage Open Days
The Thomas Garrett Heritage Rooms opened its doors to visitors on the 15th & 16th September to host a “picture the past” photograph display of Heighington. Councillor Webster told members of the forum that she was pleasantly pleased with the amount of people that attended the event. New “old” photographs were donated to the display from residents and the event raised £165.00 for the Thomas Garrett Heritage Rooms. Councillor Webster thanked the WI and other volunteers for their help.
The meeting closed at approximately 20:00. Attendees were reminded that the next meeting of this forum is set for Monday 11th February 2019, starting at 19:30 to be held in the Jubilee Hall.
Signed: _______________________________ Date: ____________________