SANDFORD Parish Council will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the formation of the Parish Council on December 4, 1894.?Chairman Jim Stephens explained that commemorations to mark the anniversary were still at the planning stage.

It was suggested that events could take place not only near the anniversary date but also in the anniversary year 2019/2020.

Suggestions included planting 125 trees and the clerk was asked to contact Sandford School to see whether the pupils could be involved in the tree planning.

Other suggestions included a celebration cake, a concert, tea party etc. It was agreed to discuss these suggestions further at the next meeting.

Sandford Neighbourhood Watch – Mr Graham Baker (Co-ordinator) explained that Neighbourhood Watch was no more. He had received a visit from Dave Waring (Community Policeman) explaining this was now known as Devon and Cornwall Alert, A two-way community messaging system operated by Devon and Cornwall Police.?A number of leaflets had been received explaining how this operated asking residents to register for alerts.

It was agreed to publicise this in “The Crossing” and see what feedback was received.

The chairman thanked Graham Baker for the duties he carried out in the village, including planting up and looking after the Sandford sign, and the tubs at the entrance to Church Parks.

The Parish Comment book included two entries “Could the Neighbourhood Watch notice board in the Square be tidied up and updated?”. Also “Could we please have some of those Rumble Strips like those in Crediton Tesco’s installed above Orchard Close on the approach road from Kennerleigh?” (It was pointed out that Rumble strips were no longer installed).

Re-opening of the Play Area – This had gone off well and had been well publicised in the “Crediton Courier” and “The Crossing” as had the presentation of the Parish Hall Bingo cheque for £665.

The clerk had purchased a picture frame, and had filled this with four pictures of the re-opening, and it was agreed to display this in the Sports Pavilion.

The issue of parking outside the Sports Pavilion was once again discussed. It was agreed to investigate previous suggestions to install parking posts at the entrance to the playing field. A suggestion was also made to put down some chippings to improve the parking area.

Devon Association of Local Councils had sent the October Newsletter. This included details of the Annual Conference, on October 23, which Cllr Brian Fyfe agreed to attend and represent the Parish Council.

The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on March 26, 2020 at which time it is hoped to form a community lead Sandford Climate Action Group made up of interested parishioners.

Victory in Europe Bank Holiday, Friday, May 8, 2020 (to replace May Day) - It was agreed to hold a public meeting in the New Year to discuss how Sandford would commemorate this. One suggestion was to hold a 1940’s Street Market.

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on November 7, beginning at 7.30pm, at Sandford Congregational Church Hall.

MJV