...and we're back! (well, almost)

Monday, 21st June was not only mid-summer's day or Solstice but was the first time in 18 months that the Parish Council had been allowed to meet face to face. Whilst we are all now proficient in the use of Microsoft Teams, it doesn't really compete with seeing each other in the flesh. There were no awkward delays, loss of connection, reminders to un-mute, instead for a change there was fluidity, good humour and the ability to read body language once again! The meeting was held socially distanced, complying with all of the restrictions still in place and therefore took up the whole of the main hall but that didn't seem to impact negatively in any way. The reason for delaying the June meeting had been to take advantage of the final easing of restrictions which of course we all now know were delayed for a further month but, at the time of writing, do finally look set to happen on 19th July 2021.

Under very sad circumstances we had a chance to be proud of our community once again in recent weeks when we all came together to search for missing person, Margaret Smith. The outpouring of support and offers to help was overwhelming and the Parish Council would like to acknowledge this. Whilst the outcome was not what anybody hoped for, we do hope that it is of some comfort to Margaret's family that so many of you felt the draw to care about one of our own villagers and we offer our sincerest condolences to them.

Next year, we hope to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II with village-wide celebration and will soon be calling for volunteers to help make it an event to remember. We will also be participating in the Queen's Green Canopy scheme, planting a tree in commemoration of the significant achievement of so many years on the throne. More news about both to follow soon.

Our Community Speed Watch is now up and running with all volunteers having received their training. Over the coming weeks, you will see the flash of yellow Hi-Viz jackets about the village as two teams perform their speed checks at various approved locations. We are realistic to know that this is not the solution to the issue of speeding in the village but hope that it will be a part of the jigsaw that helps to reduce speed overall and/or the number of drivers who chose to ignore the speed limit. More volunteers are desperately needed, if you can offer an hour of your time now and again, do please get in touch.

As a Council and as a village, we acknowledged Pride month by flying the rainbow flag once again throughout the month of June. This was replaced only for one week to mark Armed Forces Day which fell on June 26th.

The next Parish Council meeting looms due to the shifting of dates to allow us to be Covid compliant. Once again, the date has to change from our regular second Monday of the month slot to be able to find a time at the village hall when the main hall is available to accommodate everybody socially distanced. If you would like to come along, the meeting will be held on Tuesday, 13th July at 7.30pm at Swanton Morley Village Hall. You will be required to sign in to comply with Track and Trace and to have your temperature taken. You will also need to wear a mask until seated - we hope to see you there. Normal meetings will resume in August.