For those who may wish to attend our Parish Council meetings, we are moving to our summer meeting location in Cradley Village Hall. The April meeting will be on Tuesday 12^th at 7.30pm.

Our Lengthsman has been very visible this month: He has been spotted in Pixiefields clearing mud and leaves, keeping drainage channels clear around Kingsbridge and on icy nights salting the road around the Pontic/ Millbank area. He is also clearing litter, which is a growing menace on our lanes.

As soon as the weather is right for painting outdoors, towards the end of April, the equipment in the Chapel Lane playing field will be repainted.

Concerns have come to a head over the issue of dogs fouling the Buryfields Playing field. To give the children back their space to play safely it was agreed to fence off the footpaths from the play space allowing dogs to be exercised without encroaching the play area. The Herefordshire Footpaths Officer has been consulted on how best to achieve this. The work will take place in April.

In the meantime would dog owners crossing the Playing Field please note that dogs should be restricted to the footpaths, not allowed to roam at will, and please clear up after your dog!

We accepted the report back from the Churchyards committee with their recommendations on support for maintenance costs. We agreed to grant Cradley PCC, Storridge PCC and Cradley Chapel £600, £160, and £90 respectively.

We also agreed to pay Smiths of Derby £168 plus VAT for maintenance of the Cradley Church Clock

BT seems determined to remove the payphone at Bearswood, and have written to us to that effect. They produced a number of statistics to prove their case, and you know what they say about statistics! We are now looking to BT for a statement on the maintenance costs for this particular payphone to establish whether or not we should "adopt" it using Council funds. Your views on this matter will be valued.

Our Village Design Statement has noted that Damson trees are characteristic in our lanes. Now Herefordshire has commissioned a survey throughout the County. Chris Lowder and Jerry Thomas will be making the contribution for Cradley and Storridge. If you know of any damson trees off the beaten track, please let either of them know as this will help them in their task

.

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.

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

Sally Ramsden