It hardly seems like a year has passed since I sat here doing the same as I am now; time simply flies by when you’re having fun. This year has been notable for fun and hard work in equal measures and all of the trustees have stepped up to the line in both of these aspects.

2014 was a year of learning and in 2015 it seems that that learning paid off as the events programme flourished as we got better at planning, organising and delivering activities which the community would enjoy and as the community responded by supporting the events which help the community council to support the village.

We had some truly pleasurable events this year The children’s (and parents) panto which was greatly enjoyed by both age group, the 60’s night proved to be a “turn back time” moment for those of us of more mature years and I’m sure that the younger attendees were delighted to see their elders demonstrate the finer aspects of rock and rolling. The Art Show was something different again; a three-day event takes a lot of organising and a lot of volunteers to make it work and, thanks to the commitment of the CC and others, work it most certainly did.
The Cockfield Show was, once again, very special. It was a pleasure to see new and old village residents greeting each other in the glorious gardens of Clipt Bushes. The Barn Dance night was a sight to behold, a packed dance floor moving in splendid synchronisation with relatively few collisions. Spellbinding co-ordination.

We held an Old and Interesting evening to which people brought their treasures and had the pleasure of hearing a very well versed antiques expert taking time to talk about each and every item. Watch Green links for the tale of the reunited spoons!

And, in addition to these jollifications so much work has been going on, from Bruff’s Line to the Pavilion to starting to think about updating the children’s play equipment; money raised in the village going back to support the village which is as it should be.

So, another busy and entertaining year and, I have no doubt, another to follow. None of the events and activities could happen or run so smoothly without the support of the “Behind the scenes” people who lend things, move things, bake and make and mend things, fetch and carry and serve and organise.

People like Neil Ashton in his high tech world, those who look after the greens, clear footpaths and undertake so many, many tasks, so often unpaid just to help the CC and to keep the village comfortable. These people don’t want MBEs or Blue Peter Badges, just a thought and a thank you.

So Thank You to everybody in every village organisation; to those who helped and supported the village so brilliantly throughout 2015.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and leave you with a thought:

Stand today, look to yesterday, learn for tomorrow.

Rod Williams
CC Chairman