Staff changes: whilst sorry to lose Cllr Eric Cooke in August 2009, we were pleased to welcome our latest member Cllr Mrs Margaret Lindley at the start of November.

The parish council considered its budget at the meeting in December 2009, in order to set the precept (the amount which DMBC collect on our behalf through the council tax) for 2010/11. We are pleased to advise residents that this will remain at £21,000 for the seventh year running.

Earlier in the year we had the saga of the buses, First were going to cut off the last three stops, which we fought against and won albeit by agreeing to the circular route. Then they dropped the service to hourly within the working day, again we protested and had it restored to half hourly.

The village hall had a replica of its bell hung during the year, thank you to those involved.

Thanks too to Cllr Elder for his artistic efforts on the new duck sign near the pond, an excellent job.

A new Christmas tree has been planted to commemorate Higgins Ltd being in business in the village for fifty years, thank you to Mr Higgins for his generous donation.

Speeding road vehicles continues to be a problem, the police use their speed gun in our area from time to time. Work is also in progress on an electric speed sign at the entry to the village on Bawtry Road.

Members of the parish council continue to be involved with various organisations, including the Playing Field Committee, Village Hall Committee, several Airport Committees and the Parish Councils’ Joint Consultative Committee. My thanks are extended to them for the work they undertake on behalf of the community, and as ever thank you to our clerk for her expert help and guidance.

David Lindley, Chairman