Annual Report of Chair Wainfleet St Mary Parish Council detailing a year in the life of the Council
Welcome to all who are here...and before covering the past year perhaps a vote of thanks to all who made the Coronation Big Lunch the success it was....hard work by 3 councils working together ....Wainfleet St Mary, Thorpe St Peter and All Saints. A great collaborative project enjoyed by all.
Building on what was achieved in 2021/22, 2022/23 has been another proactive year – our last Annual Parish Meeting had asked about the re-introduction of the Lunch Club – this is now up and running again and creating an income stream for the Hall and is fully attended every month to the extent places now may have to be limited.
As the larger organisations started to open up fully after Covid and staff returned to work we have been able to open a Bank Account for the Community Hall which operates under the umbrella of the Council. This has allowed for the formation of a committee for the hall to raise funds for the hall and community with volunteers and council members on the Committee all playing a full and active role.
The Committee has met regularly and put a bid together earlier in the year for a Lottery grant to fund a Village Event – this has been successful and a traditional Village Show is now being planned for September to bring all aspects of the Community together.
The Lunch Club offers monthly lunches for the Community – always heavily patronised to the point where numbers now have to be restricted – this also provided a free Jubilee celebration tea for the Community and a free Celebratory Coronation Lunch. These funds have purchased a new cooker, hob and automatic water boiler for the Hall volunteers making the provision of Lunches, easier, quicker and safer for the Volunteer chefs and organisers.
Car Boot sale organised for every Summer Sunday now receiving up to 20 cars every Sunday – funds raised for the Community – new FaceBook page to support and gaining followers every week.
Jubilee Celebrations –the Council worked with volunteers and members of the Community to resurrect and provide a beacon joining in with the Nations all lighting to celebrate 70 years of service - and a community celebration – at no expense to the Community.
This was followed shortly by the very sad death of Queen Elizabeth 2nd
A Condolence memorial service for Queen Elizabeth 2nd was arranged and well attended with a full Hall.
Provision of a new litter bin and purpose commissioned bench at the village boundary overlooking the fields of WSM.
Planter established from Visit Lincs Coast and placed outside the bus shelter on Boston Road. A 5 seater bench is currently awaiting a permit from the EA to be sited on the Steeping Banks.
Play Area – all equipment refurbished and painted in bright durable protective paint.
Community Hall commissioned a mural depicting WSM.
Christmas celebrations with mulled wine and buffet arranged for and attended by the Community – all free of charge.
And the crowning glory – the Jubilee orchard – Area cleared, levelled and membraned – Fenced and planted. Photos are on our FB page and web site - 50% grant funded 50% council funds – the grant fund is still waiting to progress from the EOI to a full application which has been delayed from an earlier date in March to early Summer now. The Funding group are looking at sourcing further funding to continue with the development to include raised bed planting and geocaching.
Worked with and supported by other partners....Platform, LCC, ELDC, and National Grid, to get to this point.
And all without raising a precept – All of these activities - as well as meeting general Council responsibilities such as Grass Cutting and general maintenance have been done without having to raise a precept using allotment income, local fund raising and grant funding.....which in turn helps in some small way each resident with the cost of living increases.
Supportive and respected cohesive working between Councillors....all of whom bring differing experience and knowledge to the meetings and are happy to share and get involved.
Sadly, WSM lost a long serving Councillor last year Rod Picker – whose knowledge and experience is greatly missed – it was Rod’s suggestion to use the piece of ground that is now the orchard so a permanent memorial to him.
WSM also lost another long serving Councillor who had retired earlier owing to ill health – Ron Abbott – the family have made a request to name the piece of woodland adjacent to St Mary’s church Abbotts Wood – this is under consideration by St Mary’s PCC.
Both Ron and Rod brought so much knowledge of Wainfleet to the Council and their contributions are very much missed. As a dedication to them it is proposed to have 2 shields purchased in their names for 2 of the Village Show competitions and presented annually.
And so we look forward to another year of activity with The Village Show, weekly car boots, Lunch Club, further development of the Orchard and Christmas celebrations....with a project to fund a purpose designed WSM Village sign and continuing development of the Jubilee Orchard.
Onward and Upward......