Plans for Pinchbeck Wood as well as tributes to former councillors, coronation plans and planning application debate

Pinchbeck Wood could be in line for a mini makeover.

Bird boxes, notice boards and improved parking are among the ideas being mooted for the site.

Andrew Hill, the vice-chairman of the Pinchbeck Community Land Trust, met with parish councillors on Monday to offer an undisclosed sum of money from the coffers to help spruce up the wood.

Coun Ann Savage suggested the wood needed ‘tidying up’ before any work began, with the council agreeing to ask the Woodland Trust for help with clearing overgrown parts of the site.

The council agreed to put some proposals for the site forward so the Community Land Trust could rubber stamp the donation.

Chairman Coun James Avery confirmed the donation would be ringfenced for the woods project.

The Community Land Trust have also made donations to the village’s Baptist Church warm hub and a project at the primary school to cover an area of land to serve as an information and youth centre.

Tributes Maurice Chappell and Hardy Rigby

Tributes have been paid to two longstanding community stalwarts.

A two-minutes’ silence was observed in memory of Maurice Chappell and Hardy Rigby at Monday’s Pinchbeck Parish Council, after both passed away in December.

Mr Chappell (94) served on the council for 40 years and Mr Rigby (95) for 38 years.

“They were both incredible,” said Coun Lynne Andrew.

“They were two amazing councillors and incredible characters.

“I learned a lot from them and I’m not sure they make them like that anymore.”

Village war memorial

The rededication of a village war memorial will go ahead this spring.

Members of Pinchbeck Parish Council confirmed the service will be held on Saturday, April 8 - which is over the Easter weekend.

Clerk Barbara Camps explained the parade would begin at 2pm and follow the ‘same route as the annual Remembrance Parade’.

However, one change will see this parade begin at the village Hub in Knight Street to allow Royal British Legion members to use the facilities.

“The last rededication service was also over Easter, so this seems appropriate,” said chairman Coun James Avery.

King Charles III's coronation

Pinchbeck’s beacon will not be lit for King Charles III’s coronation.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting, Pinchbeck Parish Council chairman Coun James Avery said they had been advised that would be the case.

The reason given is that the beacon was lit to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee last year.

The next planned lighting of the beacon will now be in June 2024.

This will be to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landing in Normandy.

Pinchbeck Parish Council Facebook page

Pinchbeck Parish Council will launch a Facebook page to allow residents to keep up to date with the latest news.

Councillors - who were presented with a social media policy - agreed to push forward with plans to set up the page.

“It’s important to ensure the message comes from Pinchbeck Parish Council and is not diluted into third parties,” said Coun Oliver Wood.

It is hoped the Facebook site will work along with current methods of getting news out to parishioners, such as the council website.