PARISH COUNCIL -- The council recently completed a 'Registration of Intent' to produce a development plan. When work begins on the plan later this year all residents will be canvassed for their opinions on the various needs of our parishes--transport and housing will probably top the bill, but all ideas will be welcome. Extra waste bins, even a shredder or two, might be suggested, and prove useful in combating the vast increase in paper emanating from both local and central government.

CRICKET -- A young Pyon Valley squad leavened with a sprinkling of experience knocked up another victory,this time over the Shire Bulls at the Bishops Meadow. Pyon batted first and with Paul Williams leading the way with 17 and skipper Rob Edden adding 13, the Valley totalled 90, which for a team for the most part still at school was a good effort. The Shires reached 23 without loss in reply before an excellent diving catch by Dominic Wood initiated a rapid collapse. Rob Edden took the honours with five wickets for six runs and the Bulls subsided to 50 all out.

ST LAURENCE'S CHURCH -- Churchgoers received a treat to treasure on Sunday when a service of celebration included Elizabeth Darwin singing Handel's 'Where'er you walk'. Rarely in its long life can the church have provided the setting for such a stunning voice.

ENVIRONMENT -- Last night I saw a partridge; nothing strange about that had this been written in the 1950s or 60s.Then the rattling call and whirring flight were a regular feature of a summer evening, and the covey of chicks shepherded by a watchful parent was hardly the rarity it has since become. But where, too, are all the flocks of lapwing, once a ubiquitous sight and sound in this valley, and where that wonderful rippling song of the curlew?