November 1999 - Editorial

NEW FOOTBALL PITCH?

It may not surprise you to learn that we have decided not to turn the Village Hall car park into a new football pitch for people to play on (but I must say that an all-weather football pitch would be an asset to the village).

The initial meeting of those interested in developing the Hall was held in the middle of July, when the first ideas were discussed. It had been mentioned at several previous Hall Management Committee meetings, which are held to discuss Hall management affairs and are attended by representatives of the various groups who use the Hall.

The first meeting had a good attendance and came up with several suggestions to improve the Hall. These include a permanent stage, with an extra room provided on it, a paved and fenced play area at the side of the Hall, and the possibility of extending the Hall sideways at the back to provide a bigger main hall.

After the July meeting, we waited through the summer for any more ideas to come forward, and did receive some letters at our next meeting. At that time, we reviewed the positioon and identified the next stages in the process, and asked different people to follow up the first things to look into.

We are investigating these at the moment and will be meeting regularly in the coming months to decide which of these ideas are workable, and whether we can take them further and what the implications of doing that will be. I will keep you informed of the progress we make.

MAINTENANCE JOBS

As promised, we arranged to use the summer break in the Hall’s busy schedule, to arrange as many maintenance jobs as we could. The next cycle in the painting plan was completed, as we decorated all the rooms between the two major halls. This meant that the entrance hall, toilets, committee room, kitchen, dining room and chair store were painted and papered.

It was not possible to squeeze in the resurfacing of the floor in the Marigold Room at the same time. But we were able to complete it during the half-term break. Many thanks to those groups using the Hall, who do not stop for the holiday and were good enough to manage without the Marigold Room for the week.

GEOFF ECKERSLEY

Geoff has recently retired from variuos committees of the Community Association after goodness knows how many years, and I would like to thank him for all the work he has done for us in that time.

Geoff was one of the first to see the advantages to a village like ours of a Village Hall, and was one of the initial contingent that raised funds to make sure that it happened. For many years, he has been Maintenance Officer at the Hall meaning that he has just about fixed, tweaked, adjusted or fitted most things that have been done there. He has done an enormous amount of work for the Association over many years and we will miss him and the work he does considerably.

In addition to being Maintenance Officer, he has served on the Executive Committee and the Hall Management Committee for many many years. He also used to run the bar for the Village Quiz each year, and for the many social functions that have been held, since those first days over 20 years ago. We wish him well in his latest retirement.

VILLAGE QUIZ

Don’t forget to reserve Saturday 25th March in your diary for next year as the next Annual Village Quiz, which will be held as usual in the Village Hall. Al Christmas will be the question master, and there will be the traditional first class supper, along with good wine and beer. Not to be missed.

SUTTON SIX

I know that Richard Batterham has put an article in this issue elsewhere about the Sutton Six 10K Run, but I would like to add my thanks to Richard for all his efforts and those of West Cheshire AC in putting the run on this year. They had the added complication of the gas main replacement work being carried out by John Kennedy for Transco. But Richard negotiated with the contractors to tidy things up and barrier them off ready for the race.

I believe that Sunday September 24th 2000 is the date that is scheduled for the race next year.

HAPPY MILLENNIUM

Can I wish you all a Happy Christmas, with every good wish for the New Year, and the New Millennium.