2023 Annual Parish Meeting

ALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held in the Village Hall

Wednesday 19 April 2023

Present

Cllr Plummer    
Cllr Marsh
Cllr Mould
Cllr Goodall
Cllr Reynolds
Cllr Scott
Janet Morton (clerk)

Groups and Societies represented at the meeting.

Playing Field Fundraisers 
Biking Vikings
Village Hall Management Committee    
Allington News
Allington Morris
Holy Trinity Church PCC
Twinning Society
Petanque
Allington Gardens Residents Association
Friday Yoga
Allington Craft Club
Allington Social Club
New Age Curling
Tai Chi
Pilates
Viking Squares
Allington WI

DC Mark Whittington

23 villagers attended

CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

DEMONSTRATION FROM LIVES

Linda Kingston from LIVES gave a presentation and talk.

LIVES stands for Listen, Inquire, Validate, Enhance, Safety, Support.  She explained that everyone within LIVES are volunteers, they generally respond to 2 incidents every hour.  They have 3 dedicated ambulances and can assess anything from a fall to end of life care.  

Everyone participated in learning what to do in the case of a medical emergency. 

MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL PARISH MEETING ON 13 APRIL 2022

The minutes were confirmed and signed as a true record.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Jubilee Celebrations

The Jubilee Celebrations was the first event of the year.  We had 4 days of celebrations bringing various groups together to create a wonderful event.  Thanks was given to Cllr Scott for liaising with all the groups and bringing it all together.

Village Cross

The Village Cross has been renovated replacing the worn and damaged stone.  A plaque has been erected giving information about the history of the cross.

Red Phone Box

The yellow phone box has now been replaced with an old red phone box which now enhances the centre of the village.  Many thanks were given to Cllr Marsh for her hard work raising money by various events and raffles. 

The Green Canopy

Over 100 trees have been planted around the village including Oak trees as were the wishes of the Queen.  Cllr Goodall has worked hard to promote a greener environment.

Allington Morris

When we are all available, we have 9 dancers and 5 musicians, which means we can undertake our programme of dances for this season.  Although illness, injury and family commitments have meant that we have had a patch practice season, we have recruited a new member this year who has made speedy progress and they already have their baldrick and bells ready for Mayday.  We will dance at the Welby at lunchtime on Bank Holiday Monday for out traditional Mayday dance out, and this year we will be joined by Lincoln and Mickelberrow Morris.  We plan to approach the rest of the summer dance outs week by week when side members are available.

Friday Yoga

Our group has been running now for 18 months and we are all feeling the benefits of Cynthia’s class.  There is a focus on breathing, flow, flexibility and balance, with a time for meditation and relaxation at the end of the session.

Allington Craft Afternoon

Our Monday Craft Group continues with a regular nucleus of people.  We are always looking for new members to join us – bring whatever you like to craft, or just come along for a chat and refreshments.  The chatting often causes the sewers needing to unpick whatever is being worked on as concentration wanders during interesting conversations.

A warm welcome awaits everybody between 1:30 and 4:00 or 4:30 on Monday afternoon.

Allington Social Club

Friday afternoons see the faithful few gathering in the hall for conversation, refreshments and company.  The group has been running for several years now and we would love to see more people joining us so that we can expand on activities, or just to seek company.  If enough people come along, well be able to get the small snooker table out again!  In the meantime, we play cards and board games in between the tea and conversations.  A warm welcome awaits everybody.

New Age Kurling

Tuesday afternoons see 20+ people gathering for friendly competition for a magnificent trophy.  We did not foresee how popular this activity would prove to be, as it is possible for people of all abilities to take part – from children during the school holidays to those over ninety.  We even have pushers for those unable to bend near the floor.

In the Autumn Grantham and Sleaford Rotary Clubs held an activity evening with great hilarity.  One attendee even went on to purchase a set of stones for the Guiding community.  

We have been able to have three meals out and also had lunch on the Trent Princess whilst sailing up and down the river.  This may well be repeated as people enjoyed their excursion so much.

New members are always given a warm welcome for 2.00pm on Tuesdays.

Allington News

Allington News continues to survive with the aim of being to share information and events for the village with the village.

At the end of Covid 2 long standing members resigned Gill Towers and Judy Grummitt who had been involved in producing the paper from its initiation some 245 issues ago.  They did an amazing job over the years and we are grateful for all their guidance and help.

There are now new members who have immense enthusiasm for the paper and its content.

Thanks was given to the Parish Council who generously support the paper each year with a donation.  This is appreciated as the costs are increasing even with the bank now charging for the account.

We are grateful to all who contribute helping us to provide the Allington News free to all homes in Allington and Sedgebrook.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is slo mo exercise NOT martial art.

Held every Tuesday morning at 10.00ish depending on the chat.

Tai Chi according to reputation assist with breathing, balance, co-ordination and helps to boost the immune system.

It is recommended for everyone of all ages and abilities, whatever difficulties on has especially following surgery or illness or even just to keep active in a friendly atmosphere.  

Try it out – you only pay per session attended, its great fun and keep you active. 

Playing Fund Raisers

Unfortunately, John Slater resigned after approx. 17 years of organising some fantastic events in the village. A big thank you goes out to John for all his hard work over the years.

John Plummer took over the running of the group but unfortunately the first 2 events were cancelled one due to the Queen passing away and the other due to an administration problem.

There is an event organised for weekend of 7 July with live bands, beer festival and food.

AGRA 

A new committee has been formed and are organising events including a BBQ Monday 8 May along with games, prizes will be given to the winners.

Money raised will go towards Lincs Air Ambulance.  Everyone is welcome.

Allington Petanque

Richard Davenport says they have had a successful year with the introduction of a village league, the old playing area being improved and extended with an increase in people playing.  This was done with help and funding from the Parish Council.

The league was held from May to September with six teams from all over the village, each with four players who enjoyed the semi-competitive event, which turned out to be a social gathering, so much so, that this year there are seven teams.  Allington pétanque also organise introductory prsctice sessions on Thursday and Sunday at 3pm, everybody from within the village are welcome to participate. 

Holy Trinity Church

Project – We have split the project into two parts - the new path (phase 1) and the toilet /servery in the church itself (phase 2).  We have been fortunate to receive a large legacy from a lady that lived in the parish.  This has enabled us to proceed immediately with the new path.

Phase 1 – The contractors were appointed and work started in early February with the intention of getting the path dug, edged and tarmac laid before Easter.  As it turned out March was the wettest for 40 years and it is only this week that the hardcore has dried out enough for the work to continue so that the tarmac layer can be laid. 

Phase 2 – We are looking to start phase 2 either late this year or early next year and will keep everyone informed through the Parish Magazine/Allington News/Facebook.

We will continue with our tea and chat session in the village hall on the first Monday of the month and our thanks go to the village hall committee and all of our regular customers for their generous support.

Twinning Association

Unfortunately, because of Covid the Twinning trip here in 2020 never went ahead, but now things are back to normal hopefully trips can be organised once more.

In autumn last year I was contacted by the Tuffe Twinning Association to say that they would not be able to visit Allington this year, but that if we would like to go there, they would welcome us.  I asked for an idea of the dates that they were thinking of.  

They have two festivals The Tufferies – a concert and firework on 19 August and the Cheronneries – a raft racing competition on 10 September.  This would be more of a self-guided visit as the committee would be busy with the festivals.

If anyone is interested in joining the Twinning Association please get in touch with Sue Ashby.

Biking Vikings

Another good year for the Biking Vikings last years ride The Dambusters started high up at the Derwent Dams in the Peak District and we returned home via our overnight stop in Ripley.

A particular highlight last year was queuing to get into our second pub of the day at 7:45 am …or crossing the Iron Giant near Ilkeston – either that or choosing between the 13 chip shops for lunch in Matlock Bath.

The ride was enjoyed by all and we especially thank all in the community for sponsoring and supporting us.  As usual the welcome hon on the Sunday evening was fantastic.

16 riders completed the ride with a total of £2883.00 raised for BBC Children in Need bring the total from all rides to around £98,300.00 over the 29 rides that have taken place.

29 rides and nearly £100k raised – not bad since its start in 1991 when Martin Jackson fancied a ride back from the Humber Bridge!

Pilates

Meet Monday nights not for profit with 17 or 18 people attending and has been going for about 12 years.

Viking Squares

Viking Squares is still the only American Square Dance Club in Lincolnshire and has now been in existence for 39 years.

Viking Squares continue to meet every Tuesday evening in Allington Village Hall.  People travel quite considerable distances to come along and enjoy dancing and also the social aspect of the evening.  We are financially sound and hope this will continue.

Square dancing consists of sets of 8 people who dance to moves as instructed by a caller.  The music is varied and lively.  You simply move in time with the music with no fancy steps to learn.

We are always keen for new people to come along to join us.  It’s a good way of keeping fit, both in body and mind.  No previous experience is necessary.  You just need a pair of comfy shoes.  Come along on your own or bring a partner.

Village Hall Management Committee

David Smedley Chair of the Village Hall Management Committee informed everyone that it had been another eventful year with a range of regular activities taking place every day of the week and most weekends. 

In combination with the Parish Council, two first aid and defibrillator sessions have been held under the expert tuition of Julian Withington with two more in the pipeline.

The library continues to be well utilised and there are now folders containing every issue of Allington News apart from 3, numbers 110,120 and 121, if anyone has a copy they would be gratefully received.  

The events continue to raise funds in order to maintain a healthy bank balance due to the constant increase in running costs.  During 2022/23 £2424.65 has been raised from the Coffee Shops and Cafes, the Christmas Market and Spring Fair.  The annual Macmillan Coffee Morning raised £400 for the charity.  The committee work incredibly hard organising and staffing the events as well as donating foodstuffs.  Along with this there’s the day-to-day management of the accounts, thanks to our treasurer Cliff Wilkins, Joy Hart for acting as secretary and booking secretary, and Heather Nuttall the Events Co-ordinator.

A smoke alarm system has been installed to keep in line with fire regulations.  Although the hall is in a conservation area, planning was not required to replace the old windows and instal patio doors to give access to the rear.

The street party for the Queens platinum jubilee was a resounding success.

Allington Womens Institute

On 1 March 2023 saw the 104th Annual Meeting take place in the Village Hall of Allington WI

Membership remains stable and we have a healthy bank balance thanks to the support form members and fund-raising events enabling us to book some interesting speakers.  Our programme varies from Ghostly Goings on in the Tower to Manor Farm Bakehouse – From Field to Loaf.

Ladies, if you do not wish to join us on a regular basis, visitors either ladies or gentlemen are always welcome, speakers are advertised on posters, in the Allington News and the Parish News.  We look forward to seeing you.

After the presentations everyone circulated and had refreshments.