A look at what’s been happening in the villages around Grantham...
B.I.G. REPORT
Barrowby
Barrowby Improvement Steering Group (B.I.G.) will present its final report, executive summary and Action Plan to villagers at a meeting on Wednesday, February 27 in the Memorial Hall, at 7.30pm.
The report has been finalised following three years of hard work and this meeting will give villagers an opportunity to offer suggestions and debate issues.
Anyone who has indicated they wish to offer their skills to the parish should go along to this event to discuss how they can help.
Surgery
Bottesford
County Councillor Byron Rhodes, together with Melton Borough Councillors Pru Chandler and David Wright, held a successful surgery on Saturday morning.
Housing, planning, potholes, additional information relating to the Localism Bill and the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan were the main topics brought up.
Local residents were pleased to hear that both Leicester County Council and Melton Borough Council have frozen their share of the Council Tax for a further year, but there is concern that Bottesford Parish Council has increased its parish precept from £30.25
for a Band D property to £57.74 for the coming year.
It should be noted that parish councils are not subject to the requirements of the referendum rules other councils must comply with, but nevertheless, there is disappointment at this substantial rise during the present difficult economic situation, nationally.
Lent course
Buckminster and Sewstern
Last Sunday’s Morning Prayer service was held in Holy Trinity Church, Sewstern, led by Lay Reader, Barbie Coulson. Readers were Janet Hart and Mark Wesson. Organist was Dinah Nixon.
On Sunday an All Age Worship service will be held in St John the Baptist Church, Buckminster at 10am, when children of the 3Cs will be joining the congregation.
Yesterday (Thursday) Canon Michael Covington was licensed by the Bishop of Leicester to serve the Benefice of South Framland, which includes Buckminster and Sewstern.
An afternoon and evening Lent course, A Study in St John’s Gospel, will be held over four weeks, beginning on Tuesday, February 26 at 10 Timber Hill, Sewstern, from 2.30pm to 4pm. The evening course is at Wayside Cottage, 2 Rookery Lane, Wymondham, 7.30pm to 9pm. The second week at Tithe Barn, 16 Nurses Lane; third week, Skerray House, 23 Old Manor Gardens and fourth week, Wymondham House, 15 Spring Lane, all in Wymondham, from 7.30pm to 9pm.
A whist drive will be held in Buckminster Village Hall on Monday at 7.30pm.
On Tuesday the 3Cs meet in the studio at Buckminster School from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.
Bingo will take place in Sewstern Village Hall on Saturday, starting at 7.30pm.
Jumble
Castle Bytham
A jumble sale will be held in the village hall on Saturday, March 16 in aid of the senior citizens’ Christmas lunch.
As usual, there will be good quality items along with a raffle and refreshments.
For more information contact Angela (Tel: 01780 410629).
New homes
Colsterworth
Larkfleet Homes has put forward proposals for a development of approximately 47 new homes on Bridge End.
The proposed site for development is on land which is already allocated for housing in South Kesteven District Council’s Core Strategy.
The proposed new homes will include a mixture of three, four and five-bedroom houses and will also include some affordable housing within the development and an area of public space.
Local residents will receive a newsletter informing them of the proposals and details of a public exhibition that is being held on Wednesday in the village hall from 11am to 6pm. Members of the project team from Larkfleet Homes will be on hand to answer questions about the proposals.
Larkfleet has established a fund as part of all its proposed housing developments, designed to directly benefit the communities they work with. The fund generates £500 for every house build in a new development. Local people and the parish council get to decide how this money is spent. The fund applies to all developments and is not conditional on the parish council’s support for the planning application. Colsterworth could benefit from a total of £23,500 as a result of the fund.
Land director at Larkfleet Group, David Connolly, said: “We are in the early stages of planning for this development and we are keen to consult local people on these proposals. We urge residents to come along to the public exhibition to ask questions and share their views as they will be invaluable in helping us to shape the plans.”
History society
Corby Glen
Today (Friday) the Corby Glen Local History Society will present The Bourne to Saxby Railway with Peter Ball.
The event will take place at the Methodist Church from 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome, admission is £3, including refreshments.
An Easter Craft Fair will take place in Church Rooms, Church Walk, on Sunday, March 17, from 10am to 4pm.
As well as the gifts on sale, the conservatory will be open for hot drinks and cakes and there is an Easter egg hunt for the children.
Anyone wishing to book a stall should email ajp21@mac.com or call 07878170463.
Proceeds will go to the 1st Corby Glen Cubs.
Talk opera
Harlaxton
The recent Friendship Club meeting was opened by chairman, Bert Phillips, who welcomed 21 members.
Members enjoyed a friendly game of bingo and pancakes and cake was enjoyed during the refreshment break.
The annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12.
At the next meeting on Tuesday, Ken Goddard will give a talk on opera music and will play opera music. Visitors are welcome.
Touring theatre
Leadenham
The Kosh, an award-winning theatre company, will be coming to Leadenham Village Hall on Friday, March 1, to present Cafe Chaos - A Dangerous Comedy. The play will start at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £12.50 (£12 concessions), including supper, and can be obtained from Hilary Proctor (Tel: 01400 272835) or email: hilary@leadenhampc.co.uk