The Parish Council did not hold a full meeting in September but we did hold a short Planning and accounts meeting. At this meeting we dealt with the planning application for a telecom mast at Weyside Farm which has been a matter of great concern in the village. The Council opposed the application and could see no reason why, if a mast is really necessary, it could not be located close to the existing mast in the trees at the sewage farm.

The Sub-committee working on the plans to improve the Burford Lodge Recreation Ground Play area has consulted the children and parents at St James School who have produced some really good ideas for new equipment. All the letters and diagrams will be circulated to all Councillors to help in the decision making.

On 3^rd October the Management Team at Waverley Borough Council visited Elstead for a meeting held at the Village Hall. As the Council is restructuring its senior management team at the present time  they felt that there is a need to refresh its knowledge and understanding of continuing priorities for the Borough. Several Councillors came along from Elstead and surrounding villages and I am sure that they had some useful guidance and feedback.

In September I attended the regular MOD Conservation Committee which deals with the environmental and user issues in managing the commons  around Elstead and Thursley. I think we are very lucky to have such an expert body of people advising the MOD; the military staff take a keen interest in seeing that the soldier training as far as it is possible can carry on without damage to the countryside. The Committee has experts on entomology, botany, ornithology, forestry, herpetology and deer control plus officials from Surrey Wildlife Trust, English Nature and Surrey Heathland Project.

I think modern communications are amazing. Although Chris Newman our Parish Clerk was on holiday in Denver Colorado USA the Internet facility enabled us to keep in contact by e-mail so we were  able to sort out the agenda for the next meeting and report day to day matters such as the vandal damage to the safety surface at the children's play area at Burford Lodge Rec. Even ten years ago this would have been unheard of.

The next Parish Council Meeting is on 6^th November

This is the last reminder for those who usually pack up a shoe box for the Romanian Christmas appeal, to get your box in by the end of October.  I shall be taking them to Worthing, the distribution centre on the 3^rd of November.

They have to be in this early to get everything sorted out and loaded onto lorries for the long journey to Romania in time for distribution for Christmas.

The people of the poor region really appreciate and value your contribution.  So on behalf of them all, 

Boxes can be left at the back of St James Church and the URC.