Week beginning May 20th 2002

Both Hedon Town Council and Paull Parish Council sent delegates to the prestigious 2002 Rural Conference at Bishop Burton College. The conference marks the launch of the next phase of the East Riding's Rural Partnership and was addressed by Geoff Kerr, vice chairman of the Partnership and principal of Bishop Burton College, Sir Ian MacDonald of Sleat Bt Dl, chairmen of the Partnership, Darryl Stephenson, Chief Executive of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Ben Gill CBE President of the NFU, Heather Hancock, Environment Director of Yorkshire Forward and Ian Deans, Regional Director of the Countryside Agency. The Rt. Hon Alun Michael MP, Minister of State for Rural Affairs, delivered the keynote speech. All of the speakers emphasised that the East Riding is the largest rural unitary authority in the country and expressed pride in the fact that the county's Rural Strategy is one of the first to be launched and is already being held up as an example to other counties. From the delegates' point of view, the afternoon seminars were the most productive aspect of the day and gave them opportunities to exchange views with other delegates and present their findings to the speakers and, most importantly, the County Council. Topics prioritised by the "Village Services and Community Empowerment" seminar group, attended by the Hedon and Paull delegates, were rural transport, recreation facilities and provision for young people, affordable housing for local people and other housing topics, the importance of village services - e.g. shops, post offices and schools - and accessing of funds for village projects. These were then presented to the conference for inclusion in the next phase of the Rural Partnership and hopefully will be included as targets.

The first civic engagement for the new Mayor of Hedon will be to open the Hedon Art Group exhibition in the Upstairs Gallery at Hedon Museum. Cllr. Allen Marshall will open the exhibition at 10am on Wednesday, May 22nd and many of the artists from the Group will be there to discuss their work, together with the group tutor, Steve Waller.

Hedon Art Group held their first show at the museum last year. It was very successful and enjoyable so there was great enthusiasm to have a second show. This year's display will be of works in watercolour, pastel and oils, with a wide range of subjects and all the paintings are for sale. The exhibition runs until Wednesday, June 6th and the Museum is open every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am to 4pm. (The museum entrance is via Iveson Close car park / Blue Ball Entry.)

Digital photography is steadily becoming more and more popular, and this summer a competition is being held to mark this fact. Sponsored jointly by D-Tec, Holderness Gazette and Hedon Museum Society, this year's competition is open to anyone living in Holderness and is for photographs taken with a digital camera on the theme of "Transportation." This can be interpreted as widely as you like, and can include anything from pogo sticks to elephant rides or snowboards! There is no entry fee and cash prizes will be awarded in senior and junior classes, with extra prizes for pupils in South Holderness schools. First prize in the senior and junior (under 16) categories will be £150, with runner-up prizes of £100. In the schools category, the best entry from each school will be awarded a cash prize of £25. Entry forms are available from any of the sponsors, or simply email ChickGen@compuserve.com . The closing date for entries is September 11th but you must notify your intention to enter by August 31st : this gives you all summer to take your winning photograph so start snapping now!

Hedon Playing Fields Association Jubilee Gala is being held on Saturday 25th May from 10am until 6pm. It will take place on the Greville Road playing field, Inmans Estate. The Gala Prince and Princess will be crowned, and there will be lots to do and see for all the family - a six-a-side football tournament, a mini-fairground, bouncy castle, stalls, Tombola and a car boot sale, or you can, for only £1, have a go on Mike's Mini-Digger!

Hedon Royal British Legion are holding a special Bingo session on Friday 24th May in aid of the Mayor's Golden Jubilee Fund. It will start at 7.30 in the RBL club, Magdalen Lane and there is a Special Jackpot prize of £500. Entrance is £1 per head.