Letter from the Chairman

Well summer is upon us after what seemed a very long winter, and East Hunsbury has sprung to life with the trees turning green and the blossom out. Unfortunately there has to be a photo of me to accompany the article, so here I am next to a tree in blossom to prove this is the case.

Since the last newsletter we have had the official coronation of King Charles III and to mark the event 110 members of the Seniors Club attended a coronation coffee morning at the Abbey Centre which was bedecked in flags and bunting. Every person in attendance wore a crown and many turned up dressed for the occasion wearing union jack dresses or ties, or in red, white and blue. For many this was their second Coronation and for a few their third! Thanks go to Liz and Jayne for organising the event and the volunteers who turned up to set up and serve drinks and snacks. Particular thanks go to the students from Wootton Park School for their assistance on the day.

A sad day for the Parish Council recently as Maggie Allen, the longest serving, a founding member and former Chairperson of the Parish Council, decided due to work pressures to call it a day. Maggie has been a driving force for a number of years and her input will be missed. The Parish Council wishes her well for the future.

You may have noticed the tree works that have recently been undertaken across the parks in East Hunsbury – these were required in response to a professional tree survey and risk assessment, and forms part of our commitment to maintaining the parks that have been transferred to us. I want to assure residents that trees were only removed if they were dead, diseased, or presented a health and safety concern. We have been planting trees elsewhere in the parish, and this is part of a long term scheme agreed by the Parks & Open Spaces Committee.

We have also been working with experts to devise a natural flood defence scheme for Penvale Park – a planning application has been submitted for this these works and you can read more about the scheme [on page ???].

Later in this magazine you will read the winning entry in our short story competition a “Crime in East Hunsbury”. There were a number of excellent entries but as they say there can only be one winner, so congratulations to Brenda Soden for her winning story. We are looking next for a Christmas story so why not send in your entry –who knows you could be the next JK Rowling!

Finally the Summer Social takes place on the 6 August. Entry is free so come along with your blankets and picnics and enjoy live entertainment for young and old. We look forward to seeing you there!

Councillor Michael Campbell Chairman, East Hunsbury Parish Council