May 2021 Minutes
A meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum was held on Monday 24th May 2021, in Jubilee Hall, Heighington and commenced at 19.30hrs.
Present:
Councillor J Rushby - Forum Chairman
Councillor S Sockell
Councillor D Trafford
Councillor A Hemlin
Clerk E Salter
Admin Assistant B Inman
Organisations:
Mrs J Dunning - Garretts Charity
Mrs J Burtenshaw - Guiding Movement
Mrs J Jelfs - Heighington WI
Mrs A Binns - Heighington Gardening Club
Mr K Salter - Parish Council Volunteer
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming those present.
01/A/21 Apologies and Declarations of Interest.
Apologies for absence had been received from Mrs P Edwards (Heighington Gardening Club), Mr J Lines (HBW Football Club), Mr D Hall (Tai Chi), Mrs J Rexstrew (Heighington Wives), Mr L Creasy (Heighington Bowls Club) and Mr P Howden (Heighington Bowls Club).
No apologies were received from Councillor L Nicklin, Councillor J Cann or Councillor G Dziadkiewicz.
There were no declarations of interest or dispensations sought.
02/A/21 To approve the draft notes from the last meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum on Monday 26th October 2020.
The draft notes from the meeting of Monday 26th October 2020 were agreed and approved as minutes.
03/A/21 Officer’s Report & Parish Council update
a. Free Play Tennis
Heighington Parish Council and Heighington Tennis Club are offering free play tennis to the residents of Heighington again this year.
b. Upcycling workshops & adult cycling proficiency classes
Following the last meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum an advert was placed in the Sheepwash Times requesting residents to contact the office to register an interest in the upcycling workshops and adult cycling proficiency classes, unfortunately only one resident came forward.
c. Netball/Basketball equipment
The Parish Council would like make use of the redundant netball equipment on the tennis courts at Station Road over summer holidays.
d. Brownies outdoor meetings
Heighington 2nd Brownies will be meeting on Station Road field from 5.30pm – 7.00pm on a Tuesday evening from 15th June for 4 or 5 weeks. The Parish Council have agreed that they can use the toilet facilities if needed.
04/A/21 To consider holding a remote story time for children.
Following a conversation in the Parish office, Councillor Rushby expressed an interest in reading stories via social media to the youngest members of our community. After a brief discussion members agreed that the Admin Assistant should contact Branston Parish Council to enquire how they upload the videos to social media.
05/A/21 To discuss Council funded outdoor summer holiday activities for children.
Members agreed that only outdoor activities should be provided this year due to the Pandemic. Ideas included sporting fun days, archery, cricket coaching and outdoor arts. Councillor Sockell informed members of an arts event that took place at the International Bomber Command Centre, Councillor Rushby agreed to contact the centre to obtain contact details of the team that ran the event. The Clerking team will book some activities and they will be promoted via social media, the website and the Sheepwash Times.
06/A/21 To discuss participation in the Heighington and Washingborough Scarecrow Festival during August 2021.
Following the discussion at the last meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum on 26th October 2021, (minute number 09/A/20) it was agreed at the full Council meeting held on Monday 8th March 2021 (minute number 196/M/20) to hold a joint scarecrow festival with Washingborough Parish Council during August 2021. We hope that all groups/clubs will take part in this festival. The Clerk, Admin assistant and Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Forum are meeting remotely with the Clerk form Washingborough Parish Council and District Councillor Carola Goodwin on Thursday 27th May to discuss arrangements and promotion of the festival.
07/A/21 To note arrangements for the re-opening of Jubilee Hall.
Following the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 17th May (minute number 025/M/21) it was agreed that the Jubilee Hall will re-open on Monday 6th September 2021, covid restrictions permitting. A booking form and updated hire agreements will be sent out over the next few weeks. The Parish Council look forward to welcoming all the groups back.
08/A/21 To consider hand crafting a giant poppy to place on the gates of the memorial garden to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Royal British Legion.
A local representative from the Royal British Legion contacted the Clerk to ask if a giant poppy could be crafted and placed on the gates at the memorial garden to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Royal British Legion. Members agreed that a poster should be placed on the notice boards and social media requesting residents to craft smaller poppies to create one larger poppy, which will be placed on the gates at the memorial garden in November for Remembrance Sunday.
09/A/21 Reports from village organisations and clubs.
Heighington WI
The Heighington WI currently have 34 members and have not met in person since last March due to the pandemic, however some members have kept in touch via zoom. The ladies are planning a garden meeting in July and walk around the village in August; however, they are looking forward to returning to Jubilee Hall in September. It is hoped that they will be taking part in the Christmas Festival which is scheduled for Sunday 28th November.
Guiding Movement
The Rainbows have not met since last March and are hoping to do an outdoor meeting in the summer.
Heighington 1st Brownies hope to return in September until Christmas, this section will then close due to lack of new members.
Heighington 2nd Brownies have kept in touch via zoom during the pandemic and are keen to get back into the Jubilee Hall in September. This section has planned outdoor meetings at Station Road recreation ground starting on 15th June.
Heighington & District Gardening Club
The gardening club hope to meet for the Annual General Meeting on the 23rd September and hope to host the produce show in 2022.
Reflections Glass Group
The group hope to return to the Heritage Rooms in July. Members were informed that the glass for the telephone box was complete before lockdown, the group plan to install the glass as soon as they can.
Heighington Wives
The wives plan to return to Jubilee Hall on a Friday afternoon starting in September.
Garretts Charity
The Thomas Garrett Heritage Rooms reopened on 24th May. Groups will be restricted in number: one group of six in the small hall; two groups of six in the Brenda Webster Room. Both rooms have been set up to ensure social distancing. Groups must not mingle. Wood carvers and Reflections Glass are the first groups to confirm their return dates. Willow weaving have also booked some Saturday sessions with restricted numbers. Other groups are keen to return but will do so cautiously through the summer and into the autumn. It is pleasing that regular hirers are willing to book with us again.
A project is underway to understand the origins of Garrett’s Charity better and much research has already been undertaken, but there are gaps in our knowledge. Trustees are keen to hear from anyone with documents in their possession relating to the Charity or the buildings or to hear from beneficiaries of apprenticeships or similar schemes connected with the Charity.
Refurbishment Scheme – this moves a little nearer – a Feasibility Study has been commissioned and should take place over the summer. Trustees are grateful to the Parish Council for grants which will fund the study. It is planned to seek grant funding for the major project and to undertake fundraising in the community.
Heighington Christmas Festival – Garrett’s Charity hopes to take part running a Grand Raffle which has been very popular in previous years and yielded a good income. Amongst other prizes already donated, we have a resin cast of a Lincoln Imp suitable for display in the garden which has been cast from a mould created by a former stonemason at Lincoln Cathedral.
A member of the forum raised concerns regarding the possible provision of a community orchard when Station Road is redeveloped. The member has concerns about the cost involved of maintaining fruit trees. There was some discussion regarding the variety of trees, it was suggested that a tree officer should advise the Parish Council on this matter. Members also raised concerns about fallen fruit and the prospect of wasps around a communal area with play equipment.
The meeting closed at approximately 20:05. Attendees were reminded that the next meeting of this forum is set for Monday 25th October 2021, starting at 19:30 to be held in the Jubilee Hall.
Signed: _______________________________ Date: ______________