The village fire station are holding their annual open day on 12 April from 10am.

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY

This meeting on March 26 opened with apologies being received, including one from Mr Norman Kemp, who had at 102 years sent a sincere message through his friend Michael Tuckett.

The chairman reported on the activities of the council over the past year, since the election in May 2007.

He highlighted successes such as obtaining grants to update the children's play area equipment, and for the completion of the Larkswood Estate street lighting project.

Once again Tillingham had been successful in the Essex playing fields competition for the West Field, the children's play area and the cricket square maintained by Tillingham Cricket Club.

The parish council had been asked by Essex County Council to suggest sites for tree planting in connection with their pledge to plant 250,000 trees in 2008/9. The council had suggested land opposite Samson's Farm on the Bradwell Road, already owned by the ECC, and said that TWIG might want to be involved in such a planting project.

Finally, the chairman complemented and thanked all those who contributed time and effort to looking after the village, the grass cutting, the west field, the toilet block and all the other smaller but essential tasks.

The clerk said that parish councillors were not allowed to be paid for work they undertook, and the voluntary work such as hedge cutting on the west field, tractor servicing, graffiti removal, cleaning of the allotment ditch and other similar jobs all saved an expense on the parish precept.

This annual sum had to go further than in man other villages of a similar size that did not perhaps have to maintain the extensive sports facilities, street lighting and the public toilet block that were part of Tillingham's expenditure.

Roger Lawrence had kindly provided a report on the Parochial Charity which was read out by the clerk. Sheila Potten reported on the new village hall project, saying that the Lottery bid stage 1 pre-application and been unsuccessful.

The committee now needed to consider further options.

The village hall annual meeting will be held in Tillingham village hall on April 10 at 8pm.

PARISH MULTISPORT

On Wednesday, April 9, there will be a chance for children to go along and join in an exciting range of sports and games. This scheme has gone round the other villages of the area, and will take place in Tillingham on the west field from 2-4pm.

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.