THE Village Hall was packed beyond standing room only for the Extraordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 2 September, with many villagers watching and listening from outside the hall, as representatives of Gladman gave a presentation of the planned development of the land between Village Street and Ellenden Farm. The developer is proposing to build up to 200 houses on this site. The representatives aimed to allay the fears of the many concerned residents by giving assurances about the research and consultation that had been and would be taking place between them and various statuary bodies. After questioning by members of the Parish Council, questions from the floor were taken and concerns were raised regarding flooding, light pollution, the extra traffic caused by the development, the loss of profitable arable land and the disruption to the adjacent farm and its popular shop and the strain imposed on existing facilities including the school. The developers were unable to give any concrete reassurances to these concerns as they said that these would be worked out during the planning application process, with more consultations taking place in the future. The concerns raised all stemmed from the proposed size of the development, as people acknowledged the need for new homes, but queried the need for 200 (plus the 85 from the other proposed development along Crest Hill.) The fear expressed was that increasing the housing stock of the village by a third in a short space of time would irretrievably change the nature and style of the village community. The Parish Council planned to discuss the proposed development at the next council meeting on 10 September.

At the August meeting of the Harvington Gardening Club the speaker, Ross Barbour, showed that there was no excuse for lack of colour in the winter garden, by giving the audience plenty of ideas for planting trees, shrubs, bulbs and plants that look their best during the colder months. The next meeting of the Gardening Club is on Wednesday , September 24 in the Village Hall, when Peter Preece will be giving the second instalment of ‘Every Picture Tells a Story.’ Contact Libby Knight on 871531.

Coming up: On Monday, September 15 Song Birds will meet in the Coach and Horses function room 6.30pm-8pm. Contact Mike 871743 or Roland 870880

The Ukulele Group will meet on Tuesday, September 16 September in the Coach and Horses function room from 6.30pm-8pm. Contact mike 871743

Harvington Lunch Club for those aged 50+ continues to meet in the Coach and Horses, the next club lunch will be Thursday, September 18 between 12pm-3pm.

The Phoenix Ladies Group will be holding a Coffee Morning on Saturday, September 20 in support of the MacMillan ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.’ This will take place in the Village Hall between 10am-noon. If you can donate raffle prizes or cakes please contact Barbara 870231 or Yvonne 870853.

If you fancy a bit of exercise to work up an appetite for the cakes on offer at the Coffee Morning the St. James’ Gardening Team will be meeting on Saturday, September 20 from 9.30am-noon. The team continue to do sterling work keeping both the old and the new churchyards in good order and are always happy to welcome new volunteers, and there is time for a short break for a coffee and a chat at 11am.

Harvington Pre School presents ‘Bingo and Bangers’ on Saturday, September 20 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Tickets are £8 per person and include a welcome drink and a posh banger-in-a-bun complete with a selection of salads. There will also be a bar and a raffle. Tickets are available from the Pre School or ring Claire on 07837 494770.