SCOUTS AND GUIDES AGM: The group is looking for a new treasurer as Barbara Wilkinson wishes to resign from this office which she has held for several years. Thanks were expressed to Mrs Alex Smith for all her work with the 200 club. For information on the group ring Geoff Ransted on 01386 750855.

THURSDAY CLUB: A meeting will be held on June 22 at the village hall at 2.15pm. The speaker is Mel Mills on Life as a Prison Inmate. For information on the club call Janet on 750066 or Margaret on 750316.

The recent outing to Gloucester Docks was enjoyed.

This was followed by a trip to Lydney Spring Park where the more energetic members enjoyed walking through the large gardens while the remainder enjoyed sitting in the garden overlooking the River Severn.

CAR BOOT: The first car boot sale of the year is on Sunday at 2pm at Eckington Recreation Centre, £5 per boot. Set up from noon. In aid of Eckington School. Call Liz on 751613 for more information.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION: Members went on a poignant outing to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, near Lichfield, and welcomed many members of the local Burma Star Association.

They were impressed with the arboretum, the memorial chapel, the museum and the visitor centre. It is a vast area of 150 acres with more than 100 major memorials already in place to represent military and civilian organisations, in addition to many individual dedications.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK: The house-to-house collection raised £1057.

JUMBLE SALE: The Scouts and Guides group has a jumble sale on Saturday, June 24 at 2pm, at headquarters, Pershore Road. Helpers on the day and donations at HQ from 10am are welcome.

GUIDES: The 1st Eckington West Guides have a Body Shop party tonight from 7pm to 9pm at The Scout and Guide headquarters.

BROWNIES: New leaders are urgently required for the Brownie pack. Ring 750855 before the end of June.

PARISH COUNCIL: At the annual parish council meeting, following the open forum, Cilla Cameron and Arthur Ore were re-elected to serve as chairman and vice-chairman for the coming year.

Highways: Approval from Highways has now been granted for planters to be sited in Pershore Road and Tewkesbury Road, beneath the village nameplates.

It is hoped that the addition of the planters will make drivers aware that they are entering a gateway to the village and so slow their speed. Sponsors for the planters are being sought.

Following comments raised at the annual parish meeting in April, Highways have been out to inspect the storm water drains in New Road.

A 500-metre stretch of drain have now been jetted, and some maintenance issues have been identified.

Highways have assured the council that an order or the remedial works has now been placed.

The question of having the verge in New Road reinstated has been raised.

However, this would only be viable if people refrained from parking on the verge. Parking continues to be an issue around the village.

Gipsy site of B4080:

The site has been partially cleared and the roadside perimeter fence has been secured.

There is still some concern that the site has not been cleared effectively, and that the district council has not pursued compulsory purchase of the land.

This matter will be taken up with the district council.

Affordable Housing, Pershore Road: Wychavon District Council has confirmed that Rooftop Housing Association has secured funding for the site from the Housing Corporation, the parish council will continue to pressurise the district council into moving forward with this site.

Parish Plan: The council reviewed progress against all of the points raised in the action plan.

An update on the plan will be included in the parish magazine over the next few months.

Proposed merger of police forces: The council has agreed to support both Wychavon District Council and West Mercia police, in their lobbying against the merger, and will be sending supporting letters to the Home Office.

The next parish council meeting will be on Tuesday, June 13 in the Memorial Village Hall. The council welcomes members of the public to attend the open which begins at 7.30pm.