HISTORY was made at Sandford on July 9 when Sandford Parish Council held its first open air meeting of the council in its 126 years.

The meeting took place in front of Sandford Sports Pavilion.

Lloyd Phelps (Chairman of Sandford AFC) spoke in the Open Forum – To bring themselves in line with other local football clubs, Sandford AFC were keen to erect “Dugouts” on the Meadowside Road side of the football pitch. Would the parish council agree to this suggestion? Lloyd had produced a drawing, and a plan of the suggested location, and these were circulated to the parish council.

Questions then followed over the materials, location, and proximity to the homes on Meadowside.

Before Lloyd left the meeting the Chairman thanked him, and members of Sandford AFC, for the work carried out to construct the new parking area in front of the Pavilion. The cost had amounted to £1,576, after discounts and the ability to re-claim the VAT. The cost would be shared 50/50 between Sandford AFC and the Parish Council.

Later in the meeting it was agreed that the parish council would contact residents of 1 to 8 Meadowside Road to canvass their opinions on the suggestion.

Items reported to the Clerk during the month

• Parking on the pavement at Crofts – It had been drawn to the attention of Residents that a fine of £1,000 would be incurred for parking on the pavement. Parking on the pavement causes problems to parents with prams and the elderly. Any problems on this matter should be reported to Devon County Council on 0345 155 1004, quoting the car registration number. The traffic warden will also include this area on his visits to the village.

• Dogs being exercised on the playing field – It had been drawn to the attention of new Residents on Meadowside that the exercising of dogs on the playing field was not permitted.

• Waste land at end of Snows – This piece of land was in need of the grass being cut and tidied up. This had been referred on to Mid Devon District Council.

• Anti Social behaviour – A report had been received that youngsters had been climbing on the Parish Hall roof. The caller had been told to report the matter to the Police on the non urgent emergency number.

• Tree felling on the Crediton road – Questions were being asked over tree felling in the woods opposite the Millennium Green. The Clerk had advised that Jean and Roy Howard had written a full report on this matter in the July issue of "The Crossing".

• BMX bikers on the Gorwyns Field and issues with neighbours in Meadowside – This issue and the damage to the field had been reported to the Police and the Chairman would speak to the Gorwyn Trust who owned the Field.

• One of the pillars holding up the fence on the pathway to 1 and 2 Sunnyside had been damaged.

• Grass verge in front of the bungalows on Meadowside in need of cutting. This has been referred on to Devon County Council Highways.

SANDFORD PULLS TOGETHER

An update as to how this is functioning at the present time – Everything was still operating and due to the recent “Unlocking” things were winding down.

An enquiry had been received from Voluntary Action Mid Devon as to the future of the Parish Coronavirus Group and the following was agreed:

• The group to continue until the Government stated Covid-19 had reached the lowest level.

• Volunteer list to be retained and H notices continued to be retained.

• No need for a long-term permanent Group as Sandford had a great Community Spirit backed up by Sandford Stores.

• The Group would remain in place in the case of a second wave, future spike, or lockdown.

Further updates were noted:

The Parish Hall will remain closed until September.

The Congregational Church and Hall will also remain closed until September.

St Swithun’s Church is now open for private prayer on Tuesday morning and Services to re commence, under Coronavirus rules, from Sunday, July 27. The remote Services that Paul Fillery has been providing, to those in and out of the Parish, from his home have been a huge success.

The Lamb Inn and Garden has re opened under the new Coronavirus rules.

The Rose and Crown will be re-opening very shortly and their Takeaway service has also been a huge success.

Re-opening of the two parish play areas will happen once clearance has been received from the Council’s insurers.

And update was awaited to the relaxation of social distancing to one metre, the need for face masks to be used etc from Sandford Stores.

Beating the Bounds/Boundary Stones – It was agreed that due to Coronavirus issues this would have to be delayed until the Spring of 2021.

The Best Kept Garden Contest would take place later in the month.

Road Safety issues reported from previous meeting. Responses were still awaited and a copy of the Sandford School Travel Plan had been requested.

The closing date for the Calor Gas grant for a basket ball hoop was drawing near. The clerk agreed to circulate details to the parish council and Cllr D Hope agreed to re-post the item on the SPC Facebook page.

Pat Yeo had sent a request asking for the gate posts on the Furlongs footpath to be attended to and the Clerk had been referred to the Footpath Warden.

The Parish Council has now gone into summer recess and will not meet again until September 3. Any urgent matters can be reported by email to: [email protected] .

MJV