Henfield’s Annual Parish Meeting took place on Tuesday 4th March and around 90 residents were in attendance.
The Chairman of Henfield Parish Council, Elaine Goodyear, thanked Mike Morgan who is standing down after 14 years as Parade Marshall on Remembrance Sunday. She also highlighted the success of the 2024 ‘Year of Biodiversity,’ the new High Street Christmas lights and the Summer Fair, organised by the BP Guild. This year’s events include a commemorative event with Beacon lighting for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day at the Rothery Field on 8th May and a Summer Fair on Henfield Common on 13th September. This year’s theme for Henfield Parish Council is ‘Care & Wellbeing.’
Digby Stephenson, Chairman of Trustees at The Henfield Haven explained that this in the tenth year of the Haven, which has become a centre of excellence for care and wellbeing, along with many other organisations in the village, such as the Youth Club and the Self-Help Group. He introduced Anne Dewdney, who is the wife of one of the service users of the Haven, who explained how the Haven had supported her, her husband and wider family over the past ten years. Anne is taking on ten challenges in ten months to raise much needed funds for The Haven.
The following open forum saw a number of questions including illegal parking, speeding and traffic calming, which were taken away by the Police Inspector and PCSO in attendance.
In contrast with normal practice, residents were then encouraged to take a look at the displays around the hall and to ask questions of Parish Councillors in a slightly more informal setting than usual. The tea, coffee and wine also proved popular!
Next year’s Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Tuesday 3rd March.
Kevin Wright, Parish Clerk