This was held on Wednesday 27^th March at 7.45 pm in the Village hall and despite plenty of publicity was frankly very poorly attended. The Parish Council can only infer from this that you are all perfectly content with what we are doing for you and how we are doing it. We are, of course, most grateful to the faithful few who were able to attend.

Mrs Cooper, Chairman of the Parish Council, summed up the Council's function, goals and performance over the past year and elaborated upon the formal objection raised to the imposition of National Park status upon the New Forest. She also referred to the new Standing Orders for the Council, to Council's representation to the Dibden Bay Public Enquiry and to the new Code of Conduct for Parish Councils. Mrs Cooper said that the PC hopes to retain its local veto in matters of Planning Applications to help to retain the rural character of the Parish - not to permit the growth of small cottages into vast equestrian complexes or manorial residences, for example. She explained the increase in Council Tax attributable to the Parish Precept, noted the progress of the Parish Notice Board and Village Green projects and mentioned the proposed new Bus Shelter at Football Green. In closing Mrs Cooper expressed her thanks to the Lengthsman for his good works and to Councillors for their voluntary work and continuing support.

Mr David Scott, New Forest District Council, stated that NFDC supports the Parish veto, will continue to supply Green Notices for Planning Applications, goes along with the PC's strong reservations about representation on the National Park Authority and is sorry that special legislation is not to be made for it. He offered his congratulations to the PC for their publication of the Minstead Mail, and elaborated upon the Council Tax budget for next year. He mentioned that 92% of Forest residents surveyed were "Satisfied" or "Very Satisfied" with the performance of NFDC, which is the highest score in the land. Mr Scott spoke about Affordable Housing, Nursing Homes, Car Parking and Recreation Centres as well as the Public Toilets debate. He ended with a plea for feedback, suggestions and ideas from residents on each, any and all of the above to be made directly to him at NFDC as soon as possible.

Mr Mel Kendall, Hampshire County Council, gave a detailed presentation on the Council's activities, achievements and aims in respect of Education, the Public Service Agreement and Council Tax expenditure. He noted that the burden of education had been surreptitiously shifted from Central to Local Government and showed that Hampshire had received the second lowest Grant in the country despite having one of the largest land masses, most highways and children etc. It was gratifying, he said, that HCC had received an extremely good report from OFSTED and was held in such high regard that it had been asked to help to improve other Counties' performance. Mr Kendall then gave a very clear picture of the likely timetable, progress and effect of changes and improvements to the A31 and their inevitable effect on Minstead, the C17, the Rufus Turnaround and the Stoney Cross Junction. He stated that both local authorities recognised the need for attention to local sensitivities and that the aim was always for better and safer access across and along the A31 for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. He also reviewed the history of the Public enquiry on the Stoney Cross junction and noted that the idea of an underpass there had been banished 10 years ago by the then Secretary of State and said that that particular matter was unlikely to be reopened.

We were then treated to a fascinating, interesting and informative detailed presentation from Mr Donald Thompson, Deputy Surveyor of the Forestry Commission about their Management Plans for the Crown Lands of the New Forest. He detailed the regulations affecting and effected by the FC and shared a great deal of  "inside information" as well as some little-known facts about our Forest wildlife. He reminded us that the New Forest was where Forestry Planning and Management first started aeons ago and that the New Forest was a repository for Sylviculture methods of Forestry. Answering several questions from his audience, Mr Thompson explained how Jays helped in the regeneration of Oak trees, why Beeches were much easier to replace, and why the reduction in the number of Fallow Deer was necessary. He also mentioned in passing that we each need a licence from the Forestry Commission to cut down more than 5 cu m of wood in a year.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II GOLDEN JUBILEE 2002

An Open-Air Service will be held on Minstead Village Green at 1015 am on Sunday 2^nd JuneA County Service will be held in Winchester Cathedral on 2^nd June

The Planned Programme for the Golden Jubilee Celebration in Minstead on Monday 3^rd June is outlined below - it is, of course, subject to revision, addition and amendment between now and then, and to the vagaries of the English Summer weather! As you can see if the weather is bad many activities will adjourn to the Hall.

Many people and organisations from Minstead have given a great deal of time, and effort towards this event and we hope to have provided an entertaining and varied programme in which everyone will happily join.

Councillors Fisher & Andrews have spearheaded the organising Committee and will be delighted to receive any further suggestions that you might wish to make.

We do need more volunteers to run games for short times during the afternoon. Please let us know when you're prepared to help out.

 We want each of you to bring along at least enough food for Tea for yourselves - be it Sandwiches; Cakes; Biscuits; Pies; Quiches; Salads; Sausages or whatever. All contributions over and above your own needs will be gratefully received so that all can share and join in.

Squash and Hot Tea will be provided, whilst alcohol (including Jubilee Ale) will be available from the Trustee Servant, who also propose to sell Barbecued food.

There will not be any charge for parking or for entry to the event itself but we shall be collecting donations towards the new bus shelter for the east end of the village. A small charge will be made for some games.

Finally you will see that, for comfort and safety, the road in the very middle of the village is to be closed for the afternoon and used to accommodate tables and chairs for the actual Tea itself - of course this means diversions and we hope that this is not too inconvenient. There will be plenty of signs, and car-parking facilities will be adjacent to the action and pub / shop.

Visit our website   www.new-forest.org/minstead/jubilee2002