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Lewannick Parish Council held a well attendedANNUAL PARISH MEETING on Thursday 15 May at Lewannick Village Hall. Reports from leaders and representatives of various organisations within the parish were read. The Chairman of the Parish Council, Richard Allen, started his report by thanking his fellow councillors and Elaine the Parish Clerk for the tremendous support they have given him over the past year. So how has this past year gone as far as the Council is concerned? This year has seen the successful conclusion of two major projects for the Parish Council. Firstly, there were the hugely successful and popular Queens Golden Jubilee Celebrations. This was thanks to the hard work of the Councils sub-committee who organised things so well and the participation of everybody that came along and enjoyed themselves on what was a glorious day for us all. Secondly, there has been the restoration of the Parish War Memorial, which had been planned for by the Council for several years but this year has seen the rehabilitation and restructuring of the site and the restoration of the Memorial itself. This is on-going but nearing its conclusion. This year has also seen the installation of a bus shelter at Trevadlock Hall Park to which the Council contributed financially. On the downside the Council received a setback when the County Council and District Council reneged on the support for a shelter on Polyphant Green. Other sites in Polyphant have been rejected on road safety grounds by either Highways or in the case of one site by our Insurers. We are committed, however, to progressing this matter for the benefit of all residents of Polyphant. Other matters of concern which need to be addressed are the problems of litter in Lewannick and the common problem of dog fouling in both Lewannick and Polyphant. With regard to the dog fouling the Council may have to consider purchasing additional bins, one perhaps for Polyphant and the other for the lane behind the Church at Lewannick which is a particularly bad area. This year has seen the end of an era. On behalf of the Council I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ken White for his work over the past thirty years as our District Councillor. We have not seen the last of him, as he is still a valued member of the Parish Council. Finally, the community spirit in the Parish has impressed me, in the way the various organisations throw their weight behind worthwhile causes. LADS who support the blind, the group who organise our May Day celebrations (last years profits were given towards the work on the War Memorial). This year's to the Church, towards the major repair work needed. Thanks also to the whist drive organisers who are also passing contributions to the church repair fund. There are no doubt many others who I have not mentioned, but to whom we are equally grateful for the support they give. Polyphant Women's Institute Polyphant Women's Institute had a busy and instructive year - their monthly meetings covered such diverse subjects as the work of the Air Ambulance, the duties of a housemaid at Buckingham Palace and the life of the author, Rosamund Pilcher. They also visited Caehayes House and gardens and in March 2003 had a private visit to Lawrence House Museum, which is celebrating 250 years since the house was built. Our annual walk and supper in July took place in a torrential downpour but was still voted a success. However, there is no doubt that the Queen's Jubilee Tea at Lewannick was the highlight of the year. We raised funds by holding Coffee Mornings and a Beetle Drive and were able to provide a substantial tea for between 300 and 400 people. Our programme for 2003/2004 ranges from a talk on Cornwall Libraries to the work of the charity, CHICKS, which provides country holidays for inner city kids. We would welcome new members, particularly from Lewannick, we meet on the last Wednesday of the month at 7.15 pm in Polyphant Church Hall. Any further information, please telephone the Secretary, Ann Bishop (01566) 880019. Police Liaison Committee Our representative for the Police Liaison Committee reported that the Committee has increased the number of venues to include places such as Padstow and Wadebridge. The main problem with policing remains the financial limits and expectations imposed by the Government and so, as in many areas in life, there is a constant battle to provide expected services within these limitations The police show a genuine concern to tackle local problems highlighted by the members of the public attending the meetings. It is believed that these regular meetings, which are advertised and open to the public, are beneficial. We are still very lucky to live in a relative crime-free area of the country. Polyphant Play Area The representative of the Polyphant Play Area, reported that they had recently held the last meeting of the Committee as all the work has now been carried out. The slide was attached to the tower and the `Springer' ride installed, both with the associated safety matting - our gratitude goes to Tim Ellis for all his hard work in making sure that it was completed within the timescale of the grant. The Play Area is in continual use and enjoyed by all. All necessary paperwork regarding the purchase of equipment, including warrantees and invoices will be handed over to the Parish Council for their safekeeping. The Bank Account will be closed as soon as the last cheque received has cleared and the last invoice paid. The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, who has helped with the fund raising, especially as it meant the work could be so speedily completed. A Notice will go in the next newsletter announcing that the Play Area is now complete and ready for use and thanking everyone in the local community for any help that they have provided. Lewannick Village Hall Committee The Chairman of Lewannick Village Hall Committee reported that the village goes from strength to strength with activities centred in and around the hall playing a major role. The hall has been let for various functions including many fund raising events and we are looking forward to another excellent year, from which we hope many other organisations will benefit. Over the last 12 months funds have been raised by such activities as whist drives, village pantomime, skittles, jumble sales, 50/50 auction, wine and wisdom evenings, summer flower show and Christmas bazaar. Funds raised have been donated to several organisations within the community including helping to meet the cost of a street party for the Queens Golden Jubilee celebrations which was enjoyed by many of the locals. Another of the organisations benefiting from the use of the hall is the Lewannick Amateur Dramatic Society who, through the use of the hall, is able to raise further money for other local charities by putting on their annual pantomime. Monies raised through letting has gone towards the day to day running of the hall, but we have managed some improvements, including installing additional heating which we hope will minimise the problem of dampness. We also looked at the possibility of rebuilding the hall completely on the green next to the playground, however, upon looking into it further we found that funding for a project of this size was almost impossible to obtain. With an excellent and enthusiastic committee around me we are looking to raise enough funds to enable us to make major alterations to the existing hall. Some of these improvements are necessary to bring us in line with forthcoming legislations such as installing disabled toilets. We are, however, also looking further into the future and hope to be able to make such changes as replacing the current flat roof with an apex roof and enlarging the kitchen area. These changes will, we hope, encourage more people to use and enjoy the hall, not to mention cutting the cost of future repairs. As a starting point to raising these funds it was decided to sell a small piece of land at one end of the green to Andrew Jones who had right of way access to a plot where he is currently building a family home. This land was largely untended and, following much discussion at our monthly meetings, it was felt that if he owned the land he would look after it. We did, however, include a clause in the contract prohibiting him from building on this piece of land so as not to detract from the overall view of the green. Hopefully, if the year ahead continues like the previous year we will be able to make progress with our improvements but it is a continual struggle and we are constantly relying on those within the village to give that little bit extra to keep the hall going. After all, what is a village without a hall to keep the community together! In Conclusion I would like to thank the committee, especially the Vice-Chairman and Secretary, for all their help over the last 12 months and hope for their continued support in the future. Lewannick Amateur Dramatic Society Lewannick Amateur Dramatic Society presented another successful production in January. The Society began the year with plans for fundraising to fund the following year's production. Limited fund raising in the early part of the year was due to frantic activities for Jubilee fund raising by many committee members. Plans for the pant started in September and Whist Drives began the events for the winter months. A Wine and Wisdom evening in the Hall proved successful and the Christmas Bazaar stall was especially well supported by members. Due to scriptwriting problems, the panto started later than normal but swiftly progressed and proved to be a great success with record attendances and profits. The A G M held in March highlighted future events for 2003 beginning with a Wine and Wisdom in May, followed by a Barn Dance and Treasure Hunt. Funds are being raised to purchase a new set of front curtains for the stage benefitting the Society and users of the village hall. Members are enthusaistic about next year's Panto having received grateful thanks from charities that have received proceeds from previous productions. The Society now has a chorus line for the first time in several years. This provides new faces that will hopefully carry on to perform in future productions. The Society has run for 55 years and seems set to carry on with an enthusiastic and experienced group of members. Lewannick Pre-school Lewannick Pre-school reported that they meet in the school hall for three sessions per week during term time. The session times are Tuesday 9 to 11.30 am. Wednesday 9 to 11.30 am and Thursday 1 to 3.30pm. The Pre-school is a Registered Provider and is regulated and inspected by both Ofsted and Cornwall Early Years Childcare and Development partnership which is part of Cornwall LEA. They also are members of the pre-school Learning Alliance. The Pre-school currently employs 3 part time staff each working 10 hours per week. We are a Registered Charity. The Pre-school is Registered to provide session care for up to 12 children aged between 2 and 4 years, and can take extra children under the age of two during the Thursday session providing their parent/carer remains with the child. This set up allows to provide pre-school facilities for the older children whilst still providing a much-needed `parent and toddler' group within the community. They are one of a few groups in the area that can provide this dual support for local young families. The period May 2003 to April 2003 was a very exciting one for the Pre-school. They became members of the Mini-Surestart scheme that has been set up to help rurally disadvantaged children up to the age of four. The Surestart programme provides support for both the pre-school and individual families in a number of ways, such as information and advice on health, child protection, family support etc, they run a toy library, and provide cover for staff sickness/holiday. The pre-school is also hoping to access funding through Surestart. The inclusion in a Surestart programme also ensures that all our three year olds receive grant funding from central government which entirely covers their Pre-school fees. Also during this period, the Pre-school started working towards the nationally recognised Quality Assurance Award, similar to a Chartermark Award. This is overseen by Cornwall Local Education Authority and usually takes 12 to 15 months to complete. It will be a major achievement when we succeed. The Pre-school is very lucky to have the full support of the Primary School and staff. They are able to access equipment and facilities that are out of the reach of the majority of Pre-schools and more importantly are able to call on e experienced teaching staff for help and guidance. They would also like to thank the Parish Council for their support over a considerable number of years. With every passing year, the paperwork, regulations and bureaucracy becomes more of a burden. However, we never lose sight of the fact that young children learn best by being given varied opportunities for play in a safe, stimulating environment. Firmly believe that we offer the local community the best possible facilities for young children and their families. Whist Drive Committee The Whist Drive committee reported that at the beginning of February last year they held the first of a number of whist drives, these were set up to raise funds for the Jubilee Day in June 2002. They were held in the Village Hall on a Saturday evening at 7.30. Throughout February, March, April and May the whist drives were held. During this period they managed to raise over £300, this went towards the cost of the day's events. Since then with the event being so well supported it was decided to continue on a fortnightly basis. During the autumn of 2002 the first whist drive held in September. The funds raised from then on, went to the Village Hall, Lewannick Pantomime, The Church and Cornwall Air Ambulance. At Christmas they held one large whist drive with extra prizes of which some were kindly donated by local people and businesses to make this a bit different they gave sherry and mince pies at the end and managed to raise nearly £100. This was slit between the Church had Village Hall with a small amount held over as a float. At the end of January when L A D S had done their pantomime they booked the Hall again on a similar basis. This year all funds raised have been for the Church Restoration Fund. So far over £00 has been raised. There will not be any whist drives in June but it is hoped to continue them in July and up to Christmas again as we have such a good following. This is due to the standards of the raffle, prizes and most people who come really enjoy themselves. It is quite a lot of work but the organisers enjoy it and are very grateful to Dorothy O Sullivan who does the raffle and all local people who help tidy up after. Over recent weeks the results have been placed in the Cornish and Devon Post under Village News as well as in the Parish Newsletter so local people know what is going on in the village. The Weakest Link was also held recently in the Archers Arms, which were very successful, and it is planned to repeat this again during the autumn. Lewannick Methodist Church The Lewannick Methodist Church hires the village hall for every Sunday morning. Services of workshop are 11 - 12 noon other than the two Sundays each side of the pantomime to allow the Dramatic Club to get ready and clear up. The First Sunday of June each year is a shared lunch after their service. Harvest Thanksgiving also has an evening service. Twice a year they hold a United Service with friends from St Martins Church. They do miss the piano. Fungal Lunch at Lent for Christian Aid is another united event. Other Organisations The WEBSITE was also discussed and the benefits this has brought to the parish. Other organisations within the parish for which reports were not submitted include Lewannick and Polyphant Church and Lewannick Ladies Club. Our COUNTY COUNCILLOR KEN SCOBLE introduced himself. He outlined the new boundaries. The electorate is served by 82 County Councillors with an average of 4,800 electorate per member. The Parish Council presented their accounts for the year ended 31 March 2003. Monies spent during the year included £4,354.78 War Memorial, Golden Jubilee £859.89, Grass Cutting £1,312.89, Trevadlock Cemetery £425.00, Insurance's £558.91, Trevadlock Bus Shelter £300, maintenance of trees £1,606, Polyphant Play Area £196.00, newsletter £360, maintenance of footpaths £180 and maintenance of parish clock £90.
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