This evening there will be a chance for children to go along and join in an exciting range of sports and games on the West Field from 2-4pm.

It is free for all ages and organised by the district council as part of its Get Active programme in local villages. There is no need to book, just go along and don't forget to take your own refreshments.

Parents will need to remain with their children during these sessions.

WASTE AWAY

This useful publication from the district council has been delivered to every household in the village, and it gives details of waste collections as well as information on disposing of hazardous rubbish.

The Saturday green waste collection takes place at Chancel Close from 8am-8.10am and at the North Street car park from 8.15am- 8.45am.

VILLAGE HALL

The annual meeting of the village hall will take place tomorrow evening at 8pm in the hall.

All groups that use the building are entitled to have a representative on the management committee, and at present several organisations are not making use of this scheme.

The easiest way of finding out how the hall is run is to have someone at the meetings who can then put forward suggestions that are particularly relevant to any special activity, and can take part in the administration generally.

Independent members are also welcome at the monthly meetings which usually last less than an hour, so if you want to be involved go along tomorrow.

TILLINGHAM PRE-SCHOOL

There will be an open evening for all existing and prospective parents of children aged from 2-5 years on April 18 between 5-8pm in Tillingham village hall.

The committee will be there to talk to parents, and members of staff will also be on hand to explain what happens at preschool.

For those who already have children in the group it is an opportunity to discuss progress, and for those with children coming up for the age to attend it is a chance to see what is available in learning at this stage. Some of the toys and activities will be on display.

FLOWER SHOW

With longer evenings and summer coming, most households will be planning cultivation of some sort, anything from a large garden to an allotment to a hanging basket.

Copies of the flower show schedules cover all kinds of horticultural activities and many crafts, so start planning entries now. The organisers urgently need those with enthusiasm and new ideas to join the friendly group that puts this important show together every year.

It is not long until July, so if anyone can spare even an hour or two before, during or after the day please contact anyone listed in the schedule, or members of the committee given in the directory at the back of the parish paper each month.

If volunteers do not come forward the show may well not be able to continue in its traditional style, and that does seem unthinkable after so many successful years.

PARISH COUNCIL

The council is hoping to apply for grant funding to help with the cost of a new tarmac surface on the West Field car park in North Street.

On the application forms it must be demonstrated that it is a project that will benefit the community.

Letters will be sent to local organisations asking for letters of support and if possible a donation as well. Individuals are also welcome to do the same.

The council acknowledge with thanks the sum of £50 received from an anonymous donor in respect of the flower show rent for the use of the West Field.

The fence around the children's play area suffered a great deal of damage just after Christmas. It has been repaired and is now being strengthened to prolong its life. If anyone sees vandalism taking place please report it to the police on 01245 491491.

It is important to keep reporting incidents to them otherwise their statistics will show that Tillingham does not have any problems and the police presence will decrease.

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY

One or two points were omitted from the report last week.

Tillingham had won several awards in the Essex Playing Fields competition, but this success was marred slightly by mention at the awards ceremony of the graffiti on the youth shelter and a sign.

Looking to the future the chairman said that the old by laws were due to be updated sometime soon and he drew attention to the increased emphasis now being put on health and safety matters, especially in the annual RoSPA report on the West Field.

Members of the public had an opportunity to ask questions before the meeting ended with refreshments of cheese and wine, but as only 15 parishioners attended it was disappointing for the parish councillors to see so few people interested in finding out about their management of the village.

Norman Kemp, after years of service on the parish council, always attended to give a vote of thanks at the end, but this year his words of gratitude and encouragement were heard at the beginning and set a good spirit for the meeting.