Bredon

Research into the provision of a skateboard park in Bredon is ongoing. An offer of land may be made soon. The council has decided to support the scheme, which it is hoped will solve the problem of local youths using busy village roads for their hobby and at the same time coming into conflict with some residents.

The boundary dispute between the parish council and the developers of the Bredon Motor site (on the east side of the development) has been resolved. A boundary fence has now been erected by the developers between the new houses and the playing field car park.

Bredon playing field remains the target for vandals - this month further damage has been done to the picket fencing surrounding the children's play area. Despite pleas for help in catching whoever is responsible no-one has so far helped in this respect. If villagers are reluctant to talk to the parish council they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. To replace the damaged fence with a vandal-proof metal one could cost the council tax payers in the parish a minimum of £5,000.

Broken glass, bottles and rubbish has been strewn over the surface of one of the rugby pitches, further damage has been sustained to the tennis pavilion and the surface of one of the courts, and some tiles on the roof of the new changing room have been broken. The council will make every effort to recover the costs of damage from those successfully convicted.

The next meeting of the council will be on July 12 at 7pm in the village hall.

RURAL SAFETY INITIATIVE: Several meetings of the RSI have now been held, organised by the vice chairman of Bredon Parish Council, Ken Brown. Following a public meeting in May, the skateboarding committee, formed from the local skateboarders themselves, has started raising funds to get this much-needed scheme up and running. The RSI is looking for the skateboarders to take the lead in design, fundraising and planning with financial support and advice from parents, the parish council, and the community.

It was decided that the possibility of fund-raising in the form of a car wash day, possibly held at the motorway services at Strensham, should be explored. This would be planned for some time during the summer holidays.

Ideas for future fund-raising events included a disco, raffle, open air music event, wine and cheese evening, celebrity kidnap, sponsored bike ride around Bredon Hill and a treasure hunt.

Representatives from the skateboarders will take part in a village clean-up in the near future.

A register of promises has been set up so local people, parents and businesses can offer donations. Some money has already been pledged. The sum of £55 was raised by the skateboarders themselves at a local car boot sale to get things started.

To offer fund raising help, or register a promise of money, contact Ken Brown or any other parish councillor.

FRIENDS OF ST GILES: When the AGM of The Friends of St Giles Church was held recently, the chairman, Mrs Hall, said that the Friends had had a successful year. This meant that they were in a position to give considerable financial support to the project for the restoration of the Mitton Chapel. Mrs Hall said that new Friends would be very welcome.

After the business meeting, Mr Felix Gameson gave a talk entitled The Marvels of Tewkesbury Abbey in which he led his audience on a pictorial tour both inside and outside the building.

St Richard's Hospice: There have been two successful fund raising events in Bredon parish run by Elaine Lane and her local committee. The start of these was a Midsummer Drinks Party, which was held in the garden of Bredon Manor, by permission of Mr and Mrs Jon Doney. This raised the handsome sum of £1,900. The Bredon Support Group then turned its afternoon to organising T@3 in Bredon's Norton Village Hall, which raised a further £100 for St Richard's Hospice.

CHRISTIAN AID: The final total for this year's collection including the tax reclaim came to £2,249. This has meant that with the £500 donation from St Giles' PCC, £2,749 has been sent to Christian Aid, a three per cent increase on last year.