THERE are stirrings at the grassroots in north Herefordshire.

Some communities are trying to buck the trend towards increasing centralisation to make a stand for parish power.

Parish Plans will not solve all rural problems, but at the end of a lengthy consultation each community that opted to draw up a plan will have its own blueprint for the future. Local government will be obliged to recognise it as an expression of the local will.

John Gunson, secretary of the Yarpole plan steering group, believes the documents will carry weight and that any village which fails to prepare one may find itself at a disadvantage.

Yarpole, 18 months into its project, is staging two events this month to 'build' the plan.

Now neighbouring Luston has got the message. It is launching its own Parish Plan project with a free lunch and music from Luston Primary School children at the Cawley Hall on March 20.

Yarpole, which includes Bircher, Bircher Common and Lucton in its fold, is adding a bit of fun to its latest event at Lucton School on Saturday (March 13) from 10am-4pm. The attractions will include a trampoline, a prize draw and a display of parish 'then and now' photographs.

The key feature will be huge maps showing every house and field. Local people can pin on flags indicating what they do and do not want.

The Help Build a Plan Days will provide a chance for people to literally 'put their ideas on the map'.

Ideas and suggestions will cover the natural environment, built environment, business, transport and traffic, leisure and recreation, crime and safety, health and care, special needs provision, recycling and energy conservation, use of community facilities, and community services.

The views expressed will be recorded and will form the final 10-year Parish Plan, which will be sent to all relevant authorities.

Some themes have emerged. A parish questionnaire revealed that many people don't want anything to change, but the steering group says that needs clarifying. "They don't want anything to change - from what?" asks Mr Gunson.

Many named the Yarpole village shop and Post Office as a key facility, which must be retained at all costs. That must have sent an encouraging signal to shopkeeper Duncan Grant, a parish councillor who chairs the parish plan steering group.

6 The Yarpole Lucton Parish Plan events are on March 13 at Lucton School and on March 20 (10am-4p) and March 21 (10am-1pm) at Yarpole Village Hall

6 The large-scale maps will also be on display, during daylight hours, at St Leonard's Church from Monday, March 22, to Friday, March 26.

6 Luston Group Parish, which covers Luston, Eye, Moreton, Ashton and Eyton, will hold its Parish Plan launch event at the Cawley Hall on March 20 from 11.30am- 2pm.

By Pete Blench