Members of the Parish Council reported back on a useful meeting with Kevin Hewitt and Brian Hall of Herefordshire Council Engineering Services Dept; walking the locations where we have concern over drainage. It was encouraging to see just how much they both knew of our parish and the extent to which our priorities for action coincide. The real issues, as ever, are a shortage of contracting resource and too many schemes fighting for the same pot of money. We hope that our personal approach will help to keep Cradley high on their agenda.

One of the sites we visited was the road in front of the new school. As previously reported, we have asked the Council for urgent action to restore the road surface. An additional complication became evident on site in that there is a mismatch of levels between the existing road and the new kerbs. How to resolve this is under discussion between Herefordshire Council and the school’s contractors. We are continuing to press for these issues to be resolved before the school moves.

After consulting with the North Cradley Residents Association, the Council has agreed to the school’s request to use the Buryfields playing field for organised games until such time as their own playing fields are ready for use.

The roadside hedge at Chapel Lane playing field has been cut and plans are being put in hand for other maintenance work including the repainting of some of the equipment.

We received correspondence requesting action to reduce speeding on the Bosbury Road through the village. John Rowe, who also represents Neighbourhood Watch, offered to follow up on the Community Speed Watch pilot that the Council felt had been usefully applied in the past. In the meantime, we ask that everyone keeps an eye on their speeds through the village. Slower speeds make it safer for pedestrians and a more pleasant place in which to live.

At this time of year tidying up in the garden provides a ready source of composting material. If you want to know more about how to make better compost, drop in sessions are being run in Ledbury on Wednesday 27 October at Holy Trinity Church Hall, New Street, from 3.00pm to 7.00pm, and in Malvern on Saturday 30 October at Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road, from 12.00 to 4.00pm.

The Agenda for Parish Council meetings is displayed at Finchers Corner, the Butchers, the Post Office and on the notice board at Storridge Village Hall at least 3 clear days before each meeting. Copies of the minutes for the last 2 years are held at Cradley Post Office.

The next Parish Council Meeting is on Tuesday 9^th November in Storridge Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

Mrs M Barnett, Clerk to the Council, can be contacted on 01531 635 103.

Sally Ramsden