Bishopstone

QUALITY PARISH STATUS - At a dedicated meeting on Thursday, February 5, Bishopstone and District Group Parish Council met in the Trafalgar Room of the Lord Nelson Inn to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a quality parish council. At the end of the meeting they voted to move forward and attempt to achieve quality status. Quality status will equip the parish council to take on a stronger role in the community. It is part of the Government's drive to modernise local government and ensure that all local authorities are more in touch with the people whom they serve. Achieving quality parish status demonstrates that the council will meet certain minimum standards expected from an effective, representative and active parish council. The main beneficiary will be the local community.

COUNCILLOR VACANCY -A vacancy is available for a councillor to represent Bishopstone on the parish council. Anyone interested is being asked to make contact with the parish clerk on 590691.

FLOODING - Although none of our five villages comprising the parish group of Bishopstone, Bridge Sollars, Byford, Kenchester and Mansell Gammage have been affected by the flooding of the River Wye last week one of the side effects has been the use of the road through Mansell Gammage. This narrow road has seen all sizes of vehicles from light vans to heavy articulated vehicles and some of the residents have been fearful of leaving their homes.

COMMUNITY CENTRE - The newly- formed committee will have their first meeting in the Trafalgar Room of the Lord Nelson Inn today (Thursday). The meeting starts at 7.30pm. Anyone else interested will be made most welcome.

Bosbury

PUBLIC MEETING - There will be a public meeting at Bosbury Parish Hall on Thursday, February 19, at 7.30pm, to discuss the refurbishment and improvement of the hall. At the meeting Trevor Hewett, the architect, will outline a number of options for improving the hall and the public will be invited to give their views. Refreshments will be available. The management committee gratefully acknowledge the financial support towards the cost of the improvements study given by the Market Towns Initiative Programme, Ledbury Area Regeneration Partnership, Advantage West Midlands and by the Rural Development Area Small Projects Fund via the Herefordshire Partnership. The chairman of the management committee, Bill Rees, said: "Soundings of users and a public questionnaire over the last 18 months have left no doubt that the hall is much valued and needed by the community and many suggestions have been made for ways to improve it. This meeting will be an important opportunity for the village to comment on the options that are emerging for improving the hall and the committee are hoping for a good attendance."