October 2021 minutes
A meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum was held on Monday 25th October 2021, in the Jubilee Hall, Heighington and commenced at 19.30hrs.
Present:
Councillor J Rushby - Forum Chairman
Councillor D Trafford
Councillor A Hemlin
Clerk E Salter
Organisations:
Mrs J Dunning - Garretts Charity
Mrs J Jelfs - Heighington WI
Mrs J Kennedy – Guiding Movement
Mrs D Shenton – Heighington Wives
Mr K Salter - Parish Council Volunteer
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming those present.
10/A/21 Apologies and Declarations of Interest.
Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor S Sockell, Councillor L Nicklin, Mr J Lines (HBW Football Club), Mr P Howden & Mr L Creasey (Heighington Bowls Club), Mrs P Edwards (Heighington & District Gardening Club), Mr D Hall (Tai-Chi), Mrs J Rexstrew (Heighington Wives) and Councillor G Dziadkiewicz.
No apologies were received from Councillor J Cann.
There were no declarations of interest or dispensations sought.
11/A/21 To approve the draft notes from the last meeting of the Recreation Advisory Forum on Monday 24th May 2021.
The draft notes from the meeting of Monday 24th May 2021 were agreed and approved as minutes.
12/A/21 Officer’s Report & Parish Council update
a. Station Road recreation ground
The installation of the new equipment is now complete, and the refurbishment of the existing play equipment should be finished by the end of the week, weather permitting. The solar panels have now been installed and the CCTV is in operation
b. Potterhanworth Road sports field
Lindum Construction have completed works to improve the roadway at Potterhanworth Road sports field. An autumn weed and feed treatment is to be applied to the fields to improve the playing surface of the football pitches.
c. Geocache
The Parish Council has received an email from a local resident asking for permission to place a Geocache at the back of the telephone box on the High Street. The resident intends to make it part of the “two in a view” series which means an old red telephone box and post box must within 100 feet of each other.
d. Jubilee Hall
Following the reopening of Jubilee Hall in September the Parish Council is happy to welcome back our regular hirers and pleased to welcome the new groups that have joined us, these include Baby Ballet, A Good Yarn, My Baby Can Dance and Karate.
e. Handcrafted Poppies for Remembrance
Heighington Parish Council will again be displaying the handcrafted poppies including the new giant poppy at St. Thomas’. The Display will take place from Thursday 4th November until Thursday 18th November. There will be no formal service on the 11th in the Memorial Garden, however wreaths will be laid by the Parish Council and the Royal British Legion at 11.00am. The Church service at St. Thomas’ will take place on Sunday 14th November at 10.45 am. The Parish Council would like to thank the ladies that have taken time to craft the flowers for the giant poppy.
13/A/21 To consider holding a Christmas meal or possible alternative for older residents of the village.
In the past the Parish Council has provided a Christmas meal for older residents of the village, however following the pandemic and possibility of covid restrictions returning forum members looked at alternative ways to support residents this festive season. Members suggested holding a staggered festive afternoon tea including a raffle in the Jubilee Hall on Wednesday 15th December, this will go to the full Council meeting in November for ratification.
14/A/21 To consider holding a summer community event in 2022.
The Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. There will be a four-day bank holiday running from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June. It was noted that Picnic in the Park usually takes place during June, however the event has been cancelled over the past two years due to the weather and the pandemic. Following a discussion regarding a large event members agreed that due to the bank holiday being in the half term holidays it would be better to hold a community festival of all things British that everyone could take part in if they wished. It was suggested that residents decorate their homes to celebrate the Jubilee and the Parish Council contribute to larger decorations around the village. The WI expressed a wish to decorate the bus shelter and hold a coffee morning in the Jubilee Hall.
15/A/21 To Consider participation in the 2022 scarecrow festival.
Following the huge success of this year’s festival Washingborough Parish Council has agreed to hold a similar event to run from 22nd – 29th August 2022. Members agreed that Heighington should once again take part. The Clerk informed members that Branston & Mere Parish Council would like to participate and Canwick have also been invited to make this a Four Parish event. It was noted that following a discussion between Clerks that each parish would produce its own map which could be sold at a minimum cost and the proceeds given to a local charity.
16/A/21 Reports from village organisations and clubs.
Heighington Bowls Club
Following the cancellation of all local league matches in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, members were pleased to be able to return to a full programme of outdoor bowling this summer.
The club competed in four local leagues and associated team competitions against clubs in the Lincoln and district area. In addition, a number of our members entered local individual competitions and we were delighted that two of our members won titles this season, collecting their trophies at a presentation evening held in Lincoln in mid-October. We were also very pleased that one of our members was selected to play for the Lincolnshire Bowling Association’s team, which won its knockout rounds to reach the national final. All of this success brings recognition to the village and enhances the reputation of Heighington Bowls Club for being at the forefront of outdoor bowling in the local area.
During recent years the club has attracted a number of new members and as a result it has developed its ‘social bowling’ programme. In addition to all of the regular weekly league bowling, members have this year participated in social matches and bowls drives. During the season eleven club trophies were competed for and our season reached a grand finale with our club finals day and social event. Approximately forty members, their partners and spectators attended on Sunday 5th September. The weather was glorious and there was some excellent bowling. The Club President presented competition winners with their trophies and the day was rounded off with a fantastic buffet.
As our season reached its conclusion, at the beginning of September autumn renovation work was undertaken on the bowling green and our thanks go to the Parish Council for their assistance with this. A deep scarification was followed by re-seeding and solid tining and the application of a granular autumn fertiliser was completed at the beginning of October. The bowling green and surrounding areas will be maintained throughout the coming months.
Our Annual General Meeting was this year held in the Jubilee Hall on 20th September. Those attending received reports from various officials and team captains and an update on club finances from the Treasurer. A new Management Committee was elected for 2021/2022.
The club is already planning for the 2022 outdoor season which will commence in mid-April with members returning for pre-season meetings in March and practice sessions at the beginning of April. Before then, a number of social events will take place. These will include ten-pin bowling, our annual dinner, and a return match against Branston Short Mat Bowls.
The club continues to contribute a regular monthly editorial to the Sheepwash Times, which contains all of our latest news and details of the club’s fundraising Weekly Draw. Anyone interested in finding out more about the club and outdoor bowling can now send their enquiry to our Club Secretary using a new dedicated email address heighington.bowls@btinternet.com
Heighington Christmas Market Committee
The Heighington Christmas market is going ahead on November 28th and
involves a number of changes to the layout, utilising the school and
Mill Lane more than in previous years. We have extended the outside
market area to reduce the likelihood of visitors building up in one area
with Covid in mind. As always, the committee have worked with NKDC Safety
Advisory Group who have been extremely supportive, providing guidance
during the year and throughout the planning process.
There are over a hundred stalls, pitches, and catering units, which
should provide visitors with a good range of gifts and food choices on
the day.
Heighington Wives
Heighington Wives now meet on the 1st Friday afternoon of each month. The group are looking forward their meeting in November titled exploring rainbows and their Christmas lunch at the Butcher and Beast on the 3rd December. The AGM will meet in February where the group will look at the possibility of changing its name to Heighington Ladies Circle to try to gain more members.
Heighington WI
Heighington WI currently have a good number of members and are pleased to be back at Jubilee Hall, this month they enjoyed a Harvest Supper and are looking forward to the Christmas dinner in December.
Guiding Movement
Heighington 2nd Brownies are doing well and are pleased to be back to face to face meetings. Unfortunately, Heighington 1st Brownies have now closed due to low numbers. Heighington Rainbows now meet at the school and numbers are good. Members were informed that there are seven units in the district, but they have a shortage of leaders, anyone wanting to help can contact any of the leaders for more information.
Garrett’s Charity
Heritage Rooms are open: some Covid precautions remain in place. Groups are gradually returning.
Michelle Hunter, one of the trustees, has undertaken the transcription of Thomas Garrett’s will and indenture from the originals held in Lincolnshire Archives. These documents underpin the activity of the charity. Further research is ongoing.
Refurbishment Scheme – Trustees met with Carl Andrews of Soul Architects to discuss proposals. A measured survey of the premises has been done.
Grand Prize Draw – this will take place at the Heighington Christmas Festival on Sunday 28th November. First prize is a cast stone Lincoln Imp. Further prizes include a set of saucepans, garden chair, garden mirror, mixed case of wine, hampers, electrical items and many more. In the region of 25 prizes. Tickets are £1.00 each and are on sale in advance from Trustees.
100 Club has been very successful during the year. Applications are now being invited for next year’s draw. Costs £30 to join. Prizes of £50; £25; £10 are drawn at the beginning of each month. Application forms available tonight or by emailing garrettscharity@gmail.com
As always, more information about the charity is available on our website www.garrettscharity.org.uk
The meeting closed at approximately 20:15. Attendees were reminded that the next meeting of this forum is set for Monday 28th February 2022, starting at 19:30 to be held in the Jubilee Hall.
Signed: _______________________________ Date: ____________________