AT the February meeting of Amport Parish Council the chairman, Cllr Ian Long, mentioned that, after a recent resignation from the council, they were hoping to co-opt a new member, possibly from East Cholderton.

He also said that a financial sub-committee would be created to comply with parish council regulations.

The following topics were then discussed:

Broadband: Members of the council had attended a meeting set up by their MP, Kit Malthouse, between parish councillors and BT to determine the progress of highspeed broadband within the villages. However, the BT spokesmen were not able to give any sort of timetable for connection of the service for Amport. Not a great number of people had actually registered an interest in receiving broadband with BT and it might be a good idea to do so.

Website: After considerable remodelling the new website is about to be finalised and go online. The chairman is planning to set up a database so that anyone who agrees to be contacted can leave their details in order that notification of events in the village or other useful information can be easily circulated.

Solar panel funds: The council are hoping that they will shortly receive the money due from the company which set up the solar panels in the parish and are starting to think about projects on which it could be spent. Ideas put forward included putting money towards refurbishing Monxton and Amport Hall, helping to install heating in the church, a map showing local footpaths, provision of allotments on unused ground near the Rosebourne garden centre and improvements to The Fen. The council would be happy for local residents to suggest alternative schemes.

Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ grants: The chairman mentioned that, as a result of the savings caused by no longer providing free plastic bags, Tesco had set up a scheme to grant awards to local community groups for which the council was able to apply.

Highways: After an inspection of Wiremead Lane by Hampshire Highways officials, the council has been told that there are other roads in the area that are worse and consequently there seem to be no plans to repair the deep, water-filled potholes in the passing places along the lane, or deal with the stretch of gravel-covered road which the council feel is a danger to cyclists.

Inter-village sports: After two successful football matches between Amport and Monxton, the chairman suggested setting up a further series of sporting competitive events between the two villages including perhaps rounders, darts and board games.

Fun run: Amport School PTA have arranged a fund-raising run to take place on 25 March. Anyone who is interested can find further details at: www.muddyrunners.org.uk

Summer fêtes: This year’s Sea Scout fête will take place on 18 June and the village fête on 8 July.

Commonwealth Day and WW1 commemorative act: On 13 March, at 9.50am, the Mayor of Test Valley, Cllr Karen Hamilton, will be in the High Street, Andover, to read the Commonwealth affirmation prior to Commonwealth flags being raised at 10am. This is part of the ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ initiative which will see 500 Commonwealth flags raised simultaneously throughout the United Kingdom. The public are most welcome to join the proceedings.

Future council meetings: The April meeting, which will be held on 25th, is the annual parish meeting and all parishioners are invited to attend and put forward any matters they would like discussed. It is hoped that Tom Davis, a recent director of the Wessex Rivers Trust, will be able to give a talk on the upkeep of the Pilhill Brook at the meeting.

The annual meeting will take place on 28 May.

All meetings are held in Monxton and Amport Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Catherine Unwin