Chairmans Report 2021
Chairman’s Report
Years 2019/20 & 2020/21
Normally, my report would cover the last 12 months, but as there wasn’t a Chairman’s Report delivered last year, this report covers 24 months.
• In 2019 we saw the stepping-down of Councillor Hugh Wilson, and later, the Parish Clerk Gilly Wilson; both following many years of service to the community through the PC
.
Hugh was on the Parish Council when the new Village Hall was built, back in 2000; and was on the steering group for the writing and publishing of the Stubton Neighbourhood Plan, which Stubton may hold the award for one of the first small villages in the UK to have one.
Hugh was also heavily involved, together with then-councillor Rob Thornton, in the battle to prevent two large wind turbine farms being built on our doorstep; one at Temple Hill and the other on the old airfield behind Fenton, with the Neighbourhood Plan being pivotal in our success in getting the planning applications finally refused.
Gilly was the Parish Clerk, with her unerring ability in tackling the daily duties; using her accurate shorthand techniques for minute-taking; and normally writing up the minutes the same evening…… but just giving the office of Clerk one hundred percent.
We are still awaiting the lifting of Covid restrictions, in order to make the outstanding retirement presentation to Gilly, in the village hall.
The Parish Council warmly welcome our new Clerk, Bob Warren, who I must say, is doing a really good job in difficult and challenging times here on the council, and in following in Gilly’s footsteps.
2019 welcomed new Parish Councillors Dave Butler, and Rick Crooks, with Andrew Smith being co-opted after the resignation of Rob Thornton.
In 2020 we welcomed Jackie Warren, when Anne Wise stepped-down, after years of service as councillor.
• Also in May of 2019, South Kesteven District Councillor Bob Sampson retired, and Penny Milnes became our local councillor. Penny, as was with Bob, being very approachable and supportive of our Parish Council, and always endeavours to attend our meetings, and like Bob we enjoy a good relationship with our representative on the council.
• The flying of flags at the village green has always been the cherished responsibility of John Rose, since the flagpole was erected in 2000. He has been there in all weathers, if there was a flag to be flown on that day.
The Parish Council was saddened to hear of John’s recent fall, and we all wish him a speedy recovery, and send a big ‘thank you’ for his years of service.
His second in command, ( 2 in C, as John puts it ) Rob is there to keep up the tradition, and step in for John.
Thanks Rob.
• Since 2019 we have seen the idea of Village Speed Reduction Gates become a reality, after the proposal was pushed through from procurement to installation, painting and commissioning.
The painting was carried out by an enthusiastic group of village volunteers, with Rob offering his yard, in order for us to paint the posts.
Since their installation, they have come in for praise; for their aesthetics; in defining our village and its boundaries; and most importantly, have had a noticeable effect on the reduction of vehicles speeding into the village.
They have also attracted interest from a couple of local parish councils, who have enquired into where we got them from and who installed them.
Thank you to all those involved, from the PC.
• The village planting has really taken off in the last 24 months, since Roy started planting the horse trough at the bus shelter; followed by the construction of a small rockery.
Now, ‘Stubton-in-Bloom' would be an appropriate name for our village… and, had the ‘Best Kept Village’ competition continued to be run, we would be up there in the final; year after year….. we could just have the plaque ‘Best Kept Village’, without reference. to a year.
The planting and maintenance is now done by volunteers [, through the VHMC; ]# sponsored by the PC, and Martin Stammers installed a water butt at the bus shelter, paid for by the PC.
Many thanks to all those involved.
• The Stubton Social Club, and Village Hall Management Committee have come to the fore, after elections of both committees, resulting in a refurbishment makeover for the interior of the hall, and bar.
Unfortunately, we were all forced to postpone social functions, due to the Covid restrictions at the beginning of 2020, and there have been no social activities there since.
There are further plans afoot, regarding the future aesthetics of the interior and exterior of the hall, with a recent village-wide survey and consensus; to gauge the feeling of ideas and proposals.
• The Coronavirus has had a huge impact on the parish and its residents, over the last year or so.
A Coronavirus Support Group was formed in the village, with liaison through the PC. Several residents volunteered their services and their time; to assist others in the community, that were either shielding, or self-isolating, for one reason or another, with help in their shopping and fetching of prescriptions, etc.
Many thanks rom all on the PC, go out to those who volunteered.
Rob Thornton kindly allowed walkers to divert through his private garden, due to the Public Footpath on Hargreaves Row being within feet of the front door of someone who was shielding.
Thanks Rob, for this considerate offer.
Claire Brainerd kindly organised a couple of bakery collection days at Stubton Hall, where residents could purchase locally baked bread; with the proceeds going to charity.
Thank you Claire.
The Parish Council have held their meetings via Zoom, since 2020, this being the seventh, so far…and hopefully the last one, remotely!
This has been an unprecedented time; with all the new protocol and restrictions of its use…a difficult medium to hold Parish Council meetings under….as seen by many on the much publicised ‘Handforth PC’…at its worst.
• Finally, we also said goodbye to one of our oldest residents this year; Hilda Housley who passed away at the end of February 2021. She lived in Stubton for many years, and always had time to chat when she was in the front garden. She is sadly missed.
Martin Davis.
Chairman of Stubton Parish Council.
#[Addendum: Village planting is not undertaken through the VHMC]