SANDFORD Parish Council is to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of its formation in December 4, 1894.

As the next meeting takes place on Thursday, December 5, it was agreed to mark the Anniversary with the cutting of a Celebration Cake and a Toast for the future. Past Chairmen, Councillors and Parishioners are invited to attend. This will take place at 8.30pm after the Council Meeting which, it was agreed, would start at the earlier time of 7pm.?Other Anniversary events include the planting of 125 trees at Sandford Play Area, kindly supplied by the Woodland Trust. Sandford School has said that it would like to be involved in this event.

Another suggestion is to hold an Anniversary Boundary Walk in the Spring.?(For the 100th Anniversary, in 1994, a Celebration Evening was held at Sandford Parish Hall. This was attended by Mid Devon District Councillor, Mrs Mary Turner and a Celebration Cake was cut by Council Chairman Rachael Pennington and Vice Chairman Elsie Sparkes).?Sandford School also confirmed it would like to be included in plans to create a Sandford Climate Change Group and the 2020 Parish Celebrations to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day.

The Parish Comment book included two entries:?The first comment had been made over a Parking incident in the Square at the time the Diversion was in place to repair the water main outside Oxford Terrace. A second comment had been made requesting “not to forget the research carried out on the Play Area which showed clearly there is a desire and need for activities for the teenagers”.

It said: “Please don’t just look at the cost and say we cant afford it. If there’s a will and momentum the cash can be found”.

Whilst the Parish Council appreciated this comment it was pointed out that it just did NOT have funds at the present time to finance any more play equipment and had already had to borrow on its Reserves to complete the recent refurbishment.

A suggestion was made to invite parents and youngsters to help fundraise for the next phase to provide an Outdoor Gym.

Devon and Cornwall Alert (previously Neighbourhood Watch) – Graham Baker (Co-ordinator) had advised the Clerk that PCSO Dave Waring was hoping to obtain new Signs. If not the Parish Council would have to order them on-line.

It is hoped that the notice board in the Square can be tidied up and parishioners will come forward to offer to represent their area of the Village/Parish. Further details from Graham Baker, telephone 01363 776271.

New Buildings is to get a new Noticeboard and Devon County Councillor Mrs Margaret Squires has agreed to contribute £250 for the DCC Locality Fund towards the cost.

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 is on 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 which has gone down well is to hold a 1940’s themed Street Market along Church Street.

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on December 5, beginning at 7pm, at Sandford Congregational Church Hall.

MJV