Villagers to have say on jubilee legacy

Villagers are to have their say on how to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Balderton Parish Council has set aside £10,000 for a commemorative project.

A number of ideas were discussed by the council at a meeting before chairman Mr Keith Walker suggested involving the local community.

“Let’s ask the villagers what they would like the village to have to mark the jubilee,” said Mr Walker.

“We can then have a special meeting when we can sit down with the locals and go through each idea until we find one we can agree on.”

Mr Neil Allen said: “It would be nice mark the jubilee with something special to Balderton itself — something to celebrate its history.

Mr Walter Hurst said: “We seem to be spending money on young people a lot, one thing that seems to be lacking is something for the older people.

“Perhaps we could get somewhere for them to go and relax, like a jubilee garden in which they can walk and have a sit down.”

Mrs Jane Entwisle said: “I chatted to some people in the library, and they were in favour of putting a shelter up for young people, while someone else suggested an orchard.”

Susan Malyk, the assistant parish clerk, said: “We could have a big Christmas tree in the village and we could put the lights up every year.

“I have seen trees like this in other villages and it looks beautiful.”

Mrs Lydia Hurst supported the idea and said the tree would be a permanent present to the village. She said it could be on a site near St Giles’ Church and the Chesters pub.

Residents will be asked for ideas on how to spend the £10,000, and a decision is expected early next year.