The new Government is dropping this top-down housing requirement and, at the same time, is giving the Borough Council and local residents more control to decide how much new housing and related growth is needed locally and where it might go.

Councillor Neil Clarke, Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council says, "Before these important decisions can be taken, however, we need to work with you (people in Keyworth) to know a little more about what you think about issues such as: whether your village needs to grow or change; whether there is a local need for more homes and, if so, what sort of homes; and whether growth is needed to support or provide local services, jobs and facilities.

As part of this discussion, Councillor Neil Clarke, Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, spoke at the full meeting of Keyworth Parish Council on Monday 14th March at 7pm and listened to the views of those members of the public who were present.

There’ll be a number of charity stalls in place for the Christmas Lights event at 6pm on Friday 3rd December. And as usual there’ll be mulled wine/orange juice and mince pies/biscuits. We’d like to thank all the shops and businesses through the village who’re helping to brighten the village in this festive way through the darker nights of the year.

TESCO PLAN REFUSED
Rushcliffe Borough Council has decided that Tesco's planning application has been REFUSED. Following the objections from all local councillors and from the Parish Council, the planning officers have also decided to recommend refusal, and so the decision is being made under delegated powers without a committee meeting. The main reasons for refusal are: impact on local businesses; character of the area; highway problems; and amenity of nearby residents

ENVIRONMENTAL WINNER

Parish Councillor Neil Pinder has been honoured by Rushcliffe Borough Council for Protecting and Enhancing our Environment. He was one of 9 people to collect a Community Award at a ceremony in November. Neil is on the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust committee and arranges events, gives talks to scout groups and has an incredible knowledge of wildlife. He set up the wildflower extension in Keyworth and supervises 6 volunteers in Keyworth Meadow Nature Reserve. He’s an expert on moths and harvest mice and teaches others about them and writes articles in local nature publications.

GRIT BINS

There’ll be three new grit bins to help keep our more vulnerable roads safe for traffic and pedestrians in frosty weather. They’re at Debdale Lane (near Delville Avenue), the north end of Brookview Drive (near Hawthorne Close) and on Main Street (at Cedar Drive). In addition the footpath between the end of Wright’s Orchard and Commercial Road will be protected. The County Council has passed some of the responsibility (and the cost) for gritting provision over to the Parish Council. Our staff will endeavour to ensure that these additional bins are kept topped up. An additional 3 tonnes of salted grit have been ordered. The contents of our grit bins are for use on public roads only.

YELLOW LINES

The Parish Council is backing a bid by the Transport Forum of Keyworth Village Plan to introduce parking and loading restrictions in and around Church Drive and Willow Brook. The Forum is to discuss the issue with the South Notts Highways Authority to introduce yellow lines to remove dangerous and illegal parking at busy road junctions identified in the Village Plan process.

FACILITIES MANAGER

The Parish Council has appointed Brian Cullen as a part-time Facilities Manager, to oversee the maintenance and upkeep of the Village Hall, Wysall Lane Burial Ground, Nottingham Road play area and the skate park at Platt Lane. Brian can be contacted by email (brian@keyworthparishcouncil.org) or via the Council office.

The Parish Council office will be closed from 24th December to 4th January inclusive.

The Council sends its best wishes for Christmas to its staff, everyone in the Village, and to those whose volunteering through the year continues to make Keyworth one of the best places to live.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of the Parish Council

WINTER WEATHER
It was quite a blow when we heard in mid-December from the Highways South manager: "I'm very sorry to report that due to the national demand for grit bins our suppliers will not be able to fulfil our order for the Parish Council funded bins until mid-January. Alternative suppliers have been approached but the situation looks to be the same everywhere. We will of course be delivering these to the agreed locations just as soon as we receive them. In the meantime we will continue filling existing NCC bins throughout the forthcoming winter weather as best as we are able."

As we mentioned last month the Parish Council is paying for some new grit bins. We have also purchased a small supply of grit for limited use on Parish Council property. Please note the Parish Council is neither responsible for, nor has the resources, for gritting any part of the public highway. That is the responsibility of the County Council. Following our discussions with county councillor John Cottee, he has persuaded the County Council Highways Department to include on the primary gritting routes through the village the following roads on the bus route: The Fairway, Manor Road and Debdale Lane; this should assist both buses and local residents.

PARISH COUNCIL PRECEPT
The Parish Council, sensitive to the current economic circumstances, has voted to reduce the 2011/12 precept by 2.5%, which in turn will reduce the Parish Council element of your final Council Tax bill. The Parish Council precept is the annual amount of money claimed from the Borough Council, and funded by council tax, to cover the Parish Council’s net costs for the coming year. After careful consideration the Parish Council believes it can maintain its services while at the same time reducing the precept.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Our thanks go to everyone who turned out to sing, make music and celebrate the lights going on in early December. And thanks to the 29 local businesses (including several new ones) who contributed to the festivities by agreeing to have one or more Christmas trees outside their premises. This year we have 60 illuminated trees around the village, and hope to encourage others to add to this number in the future. The annual celebration was enhanced by offering several stalls to charity organisations, all of whom welcome your involvement in one way or another.

Cllr Tim Heeley
On behalf of the Parish Council

There are two attachments to read -the first one looks at 'The Big Squeeze' with its impact on voluntary organisations and the second one is the questionnaire.

The main reasons for refusal are:

• impact on local businesses
• character of the area
• highway problems
• amenity of nearby residents

Full details will be available here from Tuesday morning.

It is expected there will be an appeal and public inquiry which are expected to take place in about 6-9 months.

Technically, the Borough Council is now on the side of those protesting the application and can be expected to fully defend its decision against Tesco.

The Trustees have just agreed both rent day and next year's rent. As usual the team will be in the Green Room of the Village Hall from 10am to 12 noon on Sat 30th October.

The rent for 2010/11 will be £17.50, and £15.00 for plotholders aged 65 or over on 30th October, 2010. However, plotholders paying their rent before 12 noon on 30th Oct will be able to claim £5.00 discount - making the real rent £12.50 and £10.00 for pensioners.

If you are not able to come to the rent day, then to claim your discount, please pay in advance to John on Plot 71, or to 21 Thelda Avenue, Keyworth (if by cheque please make payable to Keyworth Charity allotments). It's recommended that you do try to come on Rent Day as Tony will have a newsletter and the seed brochures. We are promised 50% discount on both Dobies and Thompson & Morgan this year.

Tony will be putting notices up at the plot, but only a half of plot holders have an email address, so please let your friends and neighbours know these details, so that they can pay in time! If you are not intending to renew your plot next year, would you please let Tony know as soon as possible on 9373277. Hope to see you on the 30th.

The mix of sun and rain we’ve had in recent months has brought rampant plant growth in our gardens, hedges and along footpaths and byways in the parish. You’ll be delighted to hear that someone is tasked with keeping an eye on the burgeoning mass of weeds and grass and triggering remedial works to keep our paths clear.

This ‘someone’ is Stuart Antcliff, the parish council’s own P3 warden (Parish Paths Partnership). It’s his task to walk and survey the paths in the spring and establish what needs to be done. And his reports then arm the Clerk to the Council with all he needs to complete the P3 grant application forms. These are then forwarded to the County Council which covers the cost and completes the work.

This year almost £1200 will be spent on maintaining our paths. Stuart has an amazing eye for detail. The programme of work he has identified includes: grass cutting, strimming, weed spraying, replacing waymark posts, topping up path surface with woodchip, replacing drainage pipe and plastic grate, replacing a ditch board bridge, re-cutting steps and stone to make level and adding a handrail. Altogether some 2 kilometres of footpath and 1.5 kilometres of byway will benefit from this programme of work. And we hope you benefit as you continue to enjoy walking through the countryside around our village. Thanks Stuart!

BEAUTIFUL BASKETS

We’ve now got 79 glorious hanging baskets around the village, thanks to the team of Kath Oakley, Gweneth Cane and Hazel Mather. They’ve done all the organising and arranging and found sponsorship from many local businesses – so a big thank you to them, the businesses, the people who’ve put them up and those that keep them watered. And the feedback so far has been excellent.

VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT LIAISON COMMITTEE

Originally due to meet on 7 June this group will now be meeting on 19 July. Reports from the Village Plan Development Group will be presented to the committee. The various Plan forums continue to make steady progress covering a wide range of items under the headings of Environment, Housing and planning, Leisure, Health and Welfare, Business, and Young people.

POSTCARDS

Please make every effort to buy your postcards and get them ready for our world record breaking attempt to raise funds for a teen park in the village. This is an innovative and fun way to put Keyworth ‘on the map’. Let’s hope it’s a great success.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

The latest Village Development Liaison meeting was held last month to explore the progress of the Village Plan groups and whether there are any implications for the parish council. These sessions are open to the public to attend, to view at first-hand how two key village groups are working together for the future of everyone. The recently published ‘Action Plans Update’ records the progress of the Village Plan. Our thanks go to the dozens of people actively involved in this process. Check the Parish Council’s online calendar of meetings for future dates.

Rushcliffe wants your views

“A new law means we must find out what people think about two different ways of running Rushcliffe Borough Council” declares the Borough Council’s website. Go to: http://bit.ly/cjWtxH . There are two options – a council leader and cabinet or a directly elected mayor and cabinet. The council wants your views before the end of September. There’s an online survey to fill in or you can email your views to consultation@rushcliffe.gov.uk .

Book early to avoid disappointment

It’s good to see increasing use being made of the rooms at the village hall. But there’s one downside for prospective users, if you leave it too late to make your booking you might be disappointed. The rental of rooms provides an income for the parish council and helps to offset some of the cost of maintaining and upgrading the buildings. A new sound system is being installed which should benefit, among others, the Village Quiz contests.

Council Funding

Village organisations seeking council funding for their activities are reminded to get their applications in by the end of August for the coming financial year April 2011/12. Enquiries should be directed to the Clerk to the Council, Neil Grocock. Organisations will be expected to supply a reasoned business case with their application, along with the disclosure of relevant financial records.

Have a safe and secure summer

It’s always tempting to leave doors and windows open on warm summer nights – but that’s an open invitation to chancers to make off with your belongings. Whether you’re staying at home or going away take the right steps to keep your property safe and secure by taking sensible precautions to lock doors and windows and keep your trusted neighbours aware of your movements. And have a good time!

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

A planning application from Tesco, for a store on Selby Lane, has now been received by Rushcliffe Borough Council. Further details, including copies of the plans, can be found online via the following link (application number 10/01333/OUT): http://www.document1.co.uk/blueprint

Copies of the plans are also available for inspection in the reception area at the Parish Council office during office hours (9.30am to 1.00pm on weekdays, excepting Tuesdays and Bank holidays).

There will be a public meeting to discuss this issue at the Village Hall on Thursday, 2nd September between 7.30pm and 9.00pm, and the plans will then be formally considered by the Parish Council’s Planning committee at a meeting in the Centenary Lounge, starting at 7.30pm on Monday, 6th September. The Parish Council is also conducting a survey: forms will be distributed with the September edition of the Keyworth News, and should be completed and returned to the Parish Council office by 15th September at the latest. Although the results of the survey will not be known until after the Planning meeting, the Parish Council will still have time to forward the results on to the Borough Council.

We appreciate that these arrangements are at relatively short notice, but the Parish Council has to comply with the planning process as laid down by the Borough Council, and the timescale would have been tighter still if the Borough Council had not extended the 21 day consultation period by two weeks at the Parish Council’s request.

Whilst the Parish Council obviously needs to know what the residents of Keyworth feel about this issue, it is important to note that the Borough Council will have the final say, and residents are accordingly urged to write to the Borough Council, clearly outlining their views for or against the proposals, in addition to attending the public meeting and completing the survey form.

Please keep an eye on the Parish Council website for news of any further developments.

The Parish Council regrets that it cannot guarantee to respond individually to letters, emails or survey forms, but please rest assured that all comments received will be taken into account.

KEYWORTH CONSERVATION AREA CONSULTATION

Two extensions are proposed to the existing conservation area – to the North to include the Rectory and Rectory field and to the East to include the older properties on the north side of Selby Lane from Elm Avenue. These were open for discussion by residents at a meeting staged by Rushcliffe Borough Council in the Village Hall on 23 August.

BURIAL GROUND CAR PARK

The new car park at the Burial Ground is now complete and open for use. This should make it much more convenient and safe for visitors to the cemetery, who will no longer need to park on the spare land on Wysall Lane when attending interments.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

Thanks to all who have written to the Parish Council about the proposed Tesco development, or completed and returned the survey forms delivered with the September edition of the Keyworth News.

The results of the survey are as follows:

• Votes in favour of the development: 224
• Votes against: 631
• Undecided: 24

Total votes cast: 879

The public meeting held at the Village Hall on 2nd September was attended by 250/300 people, and all but a small minority of those present were against the proposals.

At a meeting on 6th September, the Parish Council’s Planning committee formally considered the plans, and decided to object. It now remains for the Borough Council to make its decision, and, if you feel strongly about this issue, we urge you to write to the Borough Council as soon as possible, if you have not done so already, clearly outlining your views for or against the proposals.

For more information and news of further developments, please keep an eye on the Parish Council website. The Parish Council regrets that it cannot guarantee to respond individually to letters, emails or survey forms, but please rest assured that all comments received are taken into account.

KEYWORTH GETS ANOTHER SILVER FOR ITS BLOOMS

The village has collected a Silver Award in the East Midlands in Bloom competition. Keyworth Primary and Nursery school was awarded a Judges award for the dragon garden with natural rain water harvesting.

It’s been a good year for hanging baskets. They looked good and made a significant contribution to the look of the village. None of this would have been possible without the support of our local shops and businesses, the efforts of parish council staff the very generous donations from Borough councillors John Cottee, Debbie Boote and Sam Boote.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GOLDEN BOY

The Parish Council sends its congratulations to Sam Oldham who won Gold (individual high bar) and Silver (individual pommel horse) medals at the Inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore for Great Britain. Follow Sam’s path to the 2012 Olympics at www.samoldham.co.uk .

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

Note: This item does not necessarily reflect the view of the Parish Council.

The last six weeks have been dominated by a proposal from Tesco to build a new store in Keyworth. At the time of writing no planning application had been submitted. At its meeting in April the Council heard comments from almost twenty members of the public. In addition it had received comments against the proposal from 60 people, with a further seven in favour and 3 undecided. The council has approved the following statement on the Tesco Store Proposal:

“Many residents will be aware of proposals for a Tesco store on the Wrights Garage site on Selby Lane, and may have attended the exhibition at Platt Lane on March 23rd and 24th.

Thank you to all who have written to the Parish Council outlining their views on these proposals. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to respond to letters and emails individually, but please rest assured that they have all been carefully noted.

The Parish Council shares the concerns of many residents regarding the short notice given for the exhibition at Platt Lane: the Parish Council itself only knew about it five days in advance and, whilst the display was subsequently transferred to the Village Hall, this was only for a short period and, again, at short notice.

The Parish Council will obviously have to consider any planning application on its merits at the appropriate time but, in the meantime, it will continue to monitor the views of residents.

In the event of a planning application being submitted, the plans will be available for inspection by the public. The Borough Council will have the final say in respect any planning application, but the Parish Council will be consulted, and will make its views known.

Please keep an eye on the Parish Council website for news of further developments and, if you haven’t done so already, please let us know what you think about this issue.”

ALLOTMENTS

The Parish Council has received seven comments from people generally in favour of more allotments in the village with a further five people requesting a plot. The Council will be keeping a watching brief on this issue.

NEW COUNCILLOR

At its meeting in April the Parish Council co-opted Sheila Kingdom onto the council. She used to live in the village between 1963-69 and returned back here in 2007. She has a background in nursing.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

Everyone is invited to attend the Annual Parish Meeting, which will be held on Monday 26 April at 7.30pm in the Centenary Lounge. This meeting is for you to put your queries to councillors about their activities and any issues in the village which are a concern to you. The session will be chaired by Councillor Tony Grice, the chairman of the Parish Council. Local Government elections will be held in Spring 2011 and, included in these, will be the election of Parish Councillors to serve for a term of 4 years. If you feel you would like to put your name forward as a candidate for Keyworth Parish Council, the Annual Parish Meeting will be a great way to meet and talk with serving Parish Councillors. Please email your questions for the Annual Parish Meeting in advance to the Clerk to the Council by Monday 19th April - office@keyworthparishcouncil.org

DEVELOPMENTS

The parish council, village design statement group and general public are being invited to ‘Have your say ...’ on how Rushcliffe could develop over the next 15 years. An exhibition was staged, at short notice, by the Borough Council in the Parochial Church Hall on 25^th March. There is still time to feed your views into the process. You will find links on the parish council website to the relevant places and documents on the Borough council website.

In a separate matter, representatives of the parish council were invited to meet, at a week’s notice, with developers interested in the former Wrights Garage site on Selby Lane. If there is more information that can be revealed you will find it on the news pages of the parish council website.

WILLOWBROOK ILLEGAL PARKING

The police have been asked to tackle illegal parking around the village. One of the regular trouble spots is the junction between Fairway and Willowbrook at school opening and closing times. The bus company has told the village transport forum that its drivers are having difficulty turning into Willowbrook because of vehicles parked right on the junction. This is illegal and potentially dangerous. Please park around the village with more consideration for the law and others.

TRANSITION KEYWORTH

This group, which is promoting positive solutions to climate change and the approach of the peak oil point (where usage exceeds discovery of new oil) gave a presentation at the last full council meeting and requested support for its activities. The group has been asked to put in requests to the council when it has specific needs to meet.

SNOW AND ICE – THE REVIEW

Thanks for your letters suggesting several new places for additional grit bins on sloping roads around the village. This information will be sent to the county council. It will be a few months before we know the outcome of the authority’s review of its winter road clearing operation.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

The 4Uth festival will run from Monday 12 July to Saturday 24 July and is a programme of free events which aim to offer people the chance to show off their talents, promote their clubs and groups, and experience new sports and arts activities.

Nottinghamshire County Council is coordinating the programme together with organisations and groups in the public, private and voluntary sectors in the districts of Rushcliffe, Broxtowe, Gedling and Newark and Sherwood.

The Council is appealing for local groups and schools to let them know about activities that could be tied in with the programme.

The festival was held for the first time in Rushcliffe last year where a range of activities took place including canoe and sailing lessons, coaching sessions held by local rugby clubs and an open-air music event.

Derek Higton from Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Last year’s event was the first of its kind in Rushcliffe and was a huge success with children and young people getting a taste of activities available in their area.

“We will be building on the success this year by extending the festival to three other districts which will allow a greater number of young people to take advantage of the fun activities available in Greater Nottingham and Newark.

“However, the help and involvement of community groups, organisations and schools from all the four districts is essential to make sure this year’s festival is bigger and better than ever.”

Anyone wanting more information or is keen to get involved should contact Sam Jones at Nottinghamshire County Council on 0115 977 3067 or email sam.jones@nottscc.gov.uk

ENDS

For further information please contact Peter Saunders, Communications Officers, on 0115 977 3379.

The patient negotiations between the Parochial Church Council and Keyworth’s sporting organisations have paid off. An agreement has been achieved which will allow a certain number of sports fixtures to be staged on the Playing Field on Sundays. There are some legal niceties to address. This is a significant achievement and thanks must go to all parties for the honest way they have brought their minds to bear on a topic of concern to many people in the village. The result is a compromise which recognises the need to preserve some of the tranquillity and informality of this green space and also allow room for organised activities which will benefit many people.

VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT LIAISON COMMITTEE

This group holds its second quarterly meeting on 1^st of March. It brings together members of the Parish Council and the Village Plan group to explore progress on the implementation of the individual ‘actions’ in the Plan. It is an opportunity to carefully weigh priorities and seek to balance the needs of the few and the many.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Accountability and transparency are key themes for Parish Councils. Please take the opportunity to come to the Annual Parish Meeting, which will be held on Monday 26 April at 7.30pm in the Centenary Lounge. It is the ideal, informal session to put your queries and concerns to councillors. The meeting will be chaired by the chairman of the Parish Council and is open to all residents.

For one reason or another, the Parish Council must tread a path which, on occasion, may not be to the liking of some. However, our deliberations are done in public for you to listen to and for us to be accountable to you for our actions. If you can’t make this meeting you might like to come to one of our monthly parish council meetings. You’ll find the dates displayed on the parish council website.

SNOW AND ICE – THE REVIEW

Don’t forget to get your comments in to the County Council review of its handling of the snow and ice in January and February. If you’ve got specific views about the need for, and thoughts about sites for, grit bins in Keyworth please email or post them to the Parish Council Office. Your views will be passed on.

HOG ROAST CEILIDH

After the chill start to the year you might be delighted to learn we’re turning up the heat. Following last year’s highly successful event the Parish Council is organising another Hog Roast and dance on 20 March. Tickets, which are expected to sell out fast, will be on sale shortly from either one of your councillors or the Council Office.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

The Football Foundation has awarded £514,460 to Keyworth United Community Football Club for a new clubhouse. The building will contain changing rooms for teams and officials, a large club room and kitchen. Club president Allan Cook said: “This is fantastic news for the football club and the whole community of Keyworth, providing a new facility for people of Keyworth to use.” It’s understood the old buildings will provide another venue for hire in the village. When construction work starts Sundays on Platt Lane ought to be avoided as parking is expected to be cramped while work is carried out.

PLAYING FIELD COVENANT

Sports teams, seeking a relaxation of the covenant on the village recreation field, are presenting a new proposal to the Parochial Church Council which will include fewer playing days throughout the year. The issue was to be discussed by the end of January.

SNOW AND ICE – THE REVIEW

The County Council is to review its handling of the snow and ice in January. If you’ve got specific views about the need for, and thoughts about sites for, grit bins in Keyworth please email or post them to the Parish Council Office. Your views will be passed on.

BMX TRAIL GETS CHOPPED

The BMX bike trail off Platt Lane is being removed due to lack of use. Again, if you have any thoughts on this contact the Parish Council Office.

COUNCIL VACANCIES

There are now three vacancies on the Parish Council. If you would like to serve our community and bring your skills and expertise to bear in a thriving and developing village please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council for information about becoming a councillor.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

We’re giving advanced notice of the Annual Parish Meeting, which will be held on Monday 26 April at 7.30pm in the Centenary Lounge. The session will be chaired by the chairman of the Parish Council and is open to all residents to come along with their questions and queries.

HOG ROAST CEILIDH

Following last year’s highly successful event the Parish Council is organising another Hog Roast and dance on 20 March. Tickets, which are expected to sell out fast, will be on sale shortly from either one of your councillors or the Council Office.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

Although the year may be drawing to a close there is no sense in which the ‘civic’ life of our village is winding down, to the contrary. Elsewhere in Keyworth News you will read of a request for images to support the development of a Village Design Statement. Send your pictures, one at a time, to keyworth_vds@btinternet.com . Or, if you haven’t got a digital camera, pop prints into an envelope with your contact details on the reverse and the likes or dislikes and location of the subject and drop them in at the Parish Council Office, (unfortunately we cannot return your photographs).

SUMMER CHALLENGE

Have you got what it takes to help run the Keyworth Show? This is one of our social highlights, helping to raise funds for sporting activities in our community. The Show Committee, which make this annual event happen, would like to call on extra volunteers to share the work. They are looking for: a Show secretary – taking minutes and writing letters; Marketing & Publicity – telling everyone about the Show, when it will happen and what will be on; Site management – ghost the present manager and takeover in 2011; Craft fair – help build up the variety of skills; Entertainments – can you bring something new to the Show? If you’re interested call either Howard Marshall (Show chairman) 0115 937 3655 hmarshall70@ntlworld.com or Rachel Quinn (Show secretary) 0115 937 3900 rlq41@btinternet.com

WINTER WARMER

Do you fancy somewhere warm and welcoming to go when shopping in Keyworth? Members from some of ourlocal groups serve tea, coffee and biscuits Monday to Fridaybetween 10.00a.m. and 12 noon in the Centenary Lounge of Keyworth's Village Hall complex on Elm Avenue. If you'd like a change of venue for your 'morning cuppa', call in for a welcome break in very comfortable surroundings and friendly company.Our thanks go to: Mondays - History Society; Tuesdays - Community Concern; Wednesdays - Royal British Legion Ladies Division; Thursdays - Methodist Church/St Mary Parish Church; Fridays - Baptist Church/Community Concern

SPRING FEAST

Following on from the successful Hog Roast held in the Village Hall in January 2009 the parish council will be repeating the event on 20 March 2010. More details and pricing to follow.

THANKS

There was a good turnout at the Armistice service. It was nice to see so many members of the public attending to pay their respects and to hear trombonist Sam Boote fill-in in the bugler’s role.

LIGHTS

Join us on Friday Dec 4th AT 6.30pm as we mark the beginning of the Christmas season in the Village square. This year the lights will be on as you arrive (a technical reason). The Salvation Army Band and Willowbrook Childrens Choir will sing Carols. There will be Mulled Wine, Juice & Mince Pies and Father Christmas is coming too!

BEST WISHES

The Council sends its greeting to everyone in the parish. Please be aware that the Council office will be closed from 24 December and will re-open on 4 January.

Cllr Tim Heeley on behalf of Keyworth Parish Council

PRECEPT REDUCTION

Keyworth Parish Council will cut its precept for 2010/11 by 1%. It’s a tough decision which takes into account the circumstances that some people are in. However, we still intend to deliver and develop the services we currently provide. We can do this by continuing to provide value for money and by attracting funding from outside sources. In the current year we were awarded two grants from the Nottinghamshire County Council Safer Communities budget: £1000 for the ‘artistic’ graffiti at the skate park; and £1956 for the new security fence [plus extras] at the play area.

WYSALL LANE CAR PARK

Work is to commence on the completion of a car park on Council land next to the Burial Ground on Wysall Lane. The entrance way was widened last year and this year a basic ‘country park’ style surface will be laid, sufficient to park twelve vehicles. This is timed to coincide with bringing into use the third section of the Burial Ground which was grassed last year. The new car park will be sufficient to accommodate both users visiting the Burial Ground and those wishing to use our expanding leisure facilities at that end of the village (Keyworth Meadow and Wild Flower Meadow).

WILD FLOWER MEADOW

Work is also to commence on the creation of a wildflower meadow on council land to the west of the Burial Ground. This land was purchased several years ago to provide for the longer term expansion of the Burial Ground. It was obvious, from comments from residents in the parish plan process, that many people wanted more ‘green’ space in the village. This is our attempt to help meet that need for the benefit of all.

THANKS

We would like to thank David Roos and Jodie Elsom for their work on the council as they step down to concentrate on other things. We’re delighted that David will continue his brilliant work with the Britain in Bloom group in the Village. It is they who’ve been planting out the flower boxes and keeping them tended.

Cllr Tim Heeley