Annual Parish Meeting

19.00hrs Hubberts Bridge Community Hall

9 people in attendance including Chairman Cllr E Gadd 

Locum Clerk Mrs Kathy Roberts 

1. Apologies received from Parish Council Chairman Cllr Chris Stephenson, 

2. Draft notes of the Annual Parishioners meeting held 17th March 2025, proposed, seconded and signed by Chair as a true and correct record.

It has been a positive year for Amber Hill WI in 2025-26 with a range of excellent educational speakers and lots of opportunities for local ladies to socialise and offer friendship and support. We began the year with 40 members and throughout the year we have welcomed guest members, gradually gaining a thriving membership of 45 members. All our monthly meetings have continued to be held at Hubbert’s Bridge Community Centre in the main Hall. The charity elected by members this year was the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. Our WI year commenced with The Blighty Belles entertaining members with a memorable performance, with over a 100+ guests and fellow WI members from local groups in attendance to help us celebrate our 90th Birthday. Many attendees dressed in 1940’s fashion and we had a stall displaying memorabilia by Antoinette’s Vintage. 

Throughout the year we’ve had some incredibly interesting, inspiring and humorous speakers. We had Sue Lumb talking about stories from living on the Chatsworth Estate, Andrew Key gave us a NAFAS floral demonstration and Sarah Murden speaking what it was like for women living in the 18th Century. Other guest speakers have educated us on how the community growers use their plot of land in Boston to grow good for all, an inspiring talk from the ‘Plant Doctor’ and we have been introduced to what it would be like to be a film ‘extra’ by a local lady, Sophie Cawdron. Ladies also enjoyed a ‘hands on’ crafting session from Myra Upton. As always, good food, kindness and friendship has continued to be an important theme for the Amber Hill WI. At every meeting, members enjoy refreshments and a light supper provided for each other by the members. In October to coincide with our Harvest Auction, members enjoyed a fish & chip supper and then at Christmas, in addition to Christmas quizzes and games, everyone was served a baked ham and quiche platter with a selection of desserts, mince pies and festive mulled punch.

There has been focus on recycling and doing what we can to support others this year with egg boxes being collected for Boston Food Bank, used Bras being taken to Boston Library for Breast Cancer in Action, used stamps collected to support RNIB, and the collection and recycling of plastic bottle tops and blister packs. 

Our members were busy knitting and crocheting for many months to craft our very own Christmas tree which was proudly displayed at the Frampton Church Christmas Tree Festival in December. So, on reflection a very positive year, and much to look forward to in 2026 -27 

Rachel Hunn Amber Hill WI President 07/03/2026

The playing field remains in satisfactory condition, though some of the seats and play equipment need re-painting, which would be an expensive procedure and finding sponsors who are happy to pay for maintenance is difficult.

Volunteers still help to wash the equipment occasionally. The swing seats need regular cleaning due to birds resting on the top beam. We have over the years found the best deterrent is to put cable ties on the top metal beam, but they need replacing every so often.

We have 3 parishioners who still kindly donate small amounts, on a monthly basis, which is greatly appreciated.

We have had our annual inspection back in September 2025, with no major problems. 

We received a £1000 grant in 2025 through Boston Borough Council, kindly sponsored by Cllr Stuart Evans and Cllr Suzanne Welberry, which was paid to the Parish Council towards replacing damaged edges around the wet pour bases surrounding the play equipment. The damage was caused over the years, through earth movement due to drought and wet weather. The wet pour was originally laid over 20 odd years when the play equipment was erected. 

The total cost for the repairs was £1932.00 and we paid the balance £932 to the Parish Council via cheque which was banked straight away. 

The Playing Field current balance as of the end of February 2026 is £2516.27. 

Our books are audited free of charge, annually by a parishioner, Wendy Sellars.

We continue to fundraise where possible but it is not easy. 

We also need more committee members, but parishioners seem reluctant to come forward.

The Trust meets 2/3 times a year, or as & when necessary and keeps in touch between via a private chat group. 

We had notice via Chris Firth ref: a 5% increase in the cost of grass cutting. 

Councillor Jane Webb 

5. No further group or agency reports. 

6. Chairman’s report on Parish Council activities for the past year

Thank you to my fellow Councillors for the support this past year and our deepest condolences to the family of Nicky Bush, who very sadly passed away on January 22nd 2026, have been our clerk since early 2018. 

We welcomed Emily Herbert this year to the parish council following the departure of Nigel Hardy from the village. 

The roads another wet winter following a summer drought, where reported potholes have been dealt with relatively quickly. 

Quick Line completed their fibre optic roll out through the parish, giving many of us a choice. 

The precept was set for 2026/27 at £4,058 

Read out Cllr Elizabeth Gadd – Vice Chair for 

Cllr Chris Stephenson Chair Amber Hill Parish Council 

Meeting closed 19.15 

 

Signed Chair 

March 15th 2027