Harvington

In the public forum, Dr Hugh Nunn introduced Neil Dunlop, the newly-appointed youth project leader. Explaining briefly how the project came to be set up some years ago, funded and supported by the two churches by numerous individuals and various bodies including the parish council, to all of whom Dr Nunn expressed sincere thanks, he said that considerable success has been achieved. Eighty of the village's young people are now catered for in their leisure time in a range of age groups, meeting at various times in the Baptist church, an element of Christian teaching underlying the many activities, but the main emphasis being on enjoying each other's company and co-operating for everybody's mutual benefit. He paid generous tribute to the committee who handle the project's affairs and to the team of volunteer helpers without whom the groups could not run. Neil Dunlop said that it was his wish to continue with, and build on, the admirable work done by his predecessor James Nicol. He and his fiancee plan to marry in July and then they hope to live in Harvington after which, like Jayne Nicol before her, Neil's wife will join her husband in working with the young people of the village. Everybody present welcomed him enthusiastically and wished the future Mr and Mrs Dunlop a happy and successful life in Harvington. Following this, the business of the meeting proper began with four items all centred on the problems caused by a small group of older teenagers in the area of the green and the village hall in the summer and autumn of last year. A strong complaint to the chief constable about the inadequacy of policing has brought the promise of a public meeting with a senior officer present, in which residents can air their views and concerns. (Watch for an announcement of time and place!) Meantime, chairman coun Dennis McKenzie has attended a meeting called by the new chairman of the playing field committee, Roger Beard, at which workable plans for the future of 'the field' were announced. Coun McKenzie felt that, given Mr Beard's close involvement with the youth project, he has a comprehensive knowledge of the needs of the young people and a clear vision of how progress might be made in solving any associated difficulties. With money to spend, and the prospect of seeking more through the National Lottery funds, it does seem as though there is, at last, a prospect of solving the eternal problem of the playing field and, indirectly, the misuse of the village hall area. Planning applications were dealt with speedily until a retrospective application from Mr Ralph Lawrence in connection with the building behind the Post Office was presented for discussion. Councillors felt strongly that developments had far exceeded the terms of the original permission causing justifiable concern to nearby residents and prompting the question - why had no building control been imposed? What had happened to inspection? The council then voted unanimously to refuse to grant retrospective planning permission and to ask that all relevant papers be passed immediately to the Head of the Planning for thorough consideration. The Fishing Lakes were the subject of a letter from a resident, asking what the present situation is regarding same. County coun Holt was asked to give his opinion, and replied by saying that he is to send a letter to all households in the very near future explaining what has happened and what the prospects are for a solution. Questions were asked as to why, having said unequivocally last year that it would be necessary to extract 230000 tons of sand and gravel in order to create the lakes, RMC now appeared to be saying that 130,000 would be the -suggested figure. Serious doubts were again expressed about the likelihood of RMC being willing to quit the area once the job is completed, especially with the new County Minerals plan due to be issued in a couple of years' time. We await with interest coun Holt's letter in which he will report on the negotiations which have continued ever since the meetings between interested parties which ended in deadlock last spring. One final, pleasant gesture - Dr Hugh Nunn is to be nominated for this year's Wychavon bursary in recognition of his work as tree warden.

ST JAMES' CHURCH: At evensong on Sunday last, the presentation of a cheque was made to James and Jayne Nicol in recognition of their excellent work amongst the children and youngsters of Harvington during James' time as leader of the youth project. The decision was made last year that James would become a teacher, adding a PGCE to his degree and, in consequence, giving up his paid part-time employment as youth leader. Though this was a blow to all concerned, it was with relief that the village learned that he and Jayne will continue to live in Harvington and that they will still be much involved with the youth project in a voluntary capacity. The church wardens announced last Sunday that the appointment of an incumbent has been made to the newly-created benefice of Church Lench, Rous Lench, Abbot's Morton and Harvington. It is hoped that the Rev Richard Thorniley, his wife Gillian and their two teenage children will be with us sometime in May when they will take up residence in Harvington Rectory. It is felt that the Rev Thorniley's experience in his present post within a team ministry will be of inestimable value in the work which awaits him here and we await his coming with eager anticipation.