Latest update from Dan :

We are coming towards the end of the scheme where we will be finishing our work very soon and we will then be clearing up and leaving Hankerton.

Our final pieces of work are still scheduled to finish on time so assuming there are no issues, we will be completing work as planned.

I’m away at the moment so can’t check myself but sounds like good news !

From : Elizabeth Threlfall

Are you interested in some worthwhile and fairly flexible part-time work locally? 

Lea, Garsdon & Cleverton Parish Council is seeking a new Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer from November 2026. The role takes approximately 8 hrs per week working from home with formal Parish Council meetings every two months and occasional interim meetings as required at Lea Village Hall. 

 Salary will be in line with current National Joint Council for Local Government Services pay scales and dependent on experience and qualifications.   Knowledge of the role of a Parish Clerk would be an advantage (but is not essential) as would familiarity with accounting software and basic website management. 

 Ours is a small predominantly rural Parish with one village (Lea) and two hamlets (Garsdon and Cleverton) and a population of some 850 parishioners.

 Our annual Parish Precept is modest at approximately £18k and our full complement is for 9 councillors representing 3 wards within the parish.

 If you are interested in the role, which could be attractive to either a newcomer to Parish work or to an existing Parish Clerk who wishes to take on another role for additional salary, then please apply with a CV and covering letter to Cllr Stuart Suter, Chair Parish Council, or by email at stuart.suter@cllr.leagarsdoncleverton-pc.gov.uk

If you would like more background to our Parish and the Parish Council please view our website leagarsdoncleverton-pc.gov.uk or contact Stuart Suter at the above email address or on 07840 753953 to discuss the role.

I’ve had a reply from Dan who’s been away on holiday.

We are currently on track to finish on time in accordance with our schedule which will be the end of August. However, as usual, if any changes are to occur which may result in a later finish date, I will inform you so you can make that information know to the residents. 
Following on from your email, you would be correct regarding the processes that are upcoming to be completed.

The “Following on from your email” refers to me suggesting that what remained was :
– Connect it all up
– Test for leaks
– Test for water quality
– Finish off any surface issues

So hopefully Good News !

From : Michael Bromley Gardner

There’s more information here :

Unfortunately Dan hasn’t updated us again this week so this is just my opinion !

There’s a large hole at the turning to Eastcourt and it looks like they’re building a set of pipe junctions to connect to the existing pipework. No way through at the moment by road.

At the other end (junction with Cloatley Rd) there’s another hole with fittings as well. It looks to me as if they’re getting ready to connect the two ends up to replace the existing pipework.

After that I’d guess there will be testing and snagging… no idea how long that would take I’m afraid !

So my guess is that the last section including the final connections would take a little longer than the other sections so the plan would look like this :

But remember, this was always my guess at the plan not their plan !

From : Valerie Durnford & Philip Carter

No update from Dan this week but an earlier one from the original engineer Jamie Prangle to advise of a team fixing a burst on the 11th.

I had a look at the Eastcourt junction this afternoon and it looks like the road will be completely closed all weekend. The trench they’ve excavated is pretty central in the road and a dumper truck is blocking the road at the junction so I can’t see it being open this weekend.

In terms of overall progress, here’s the picture :

Our trusted reporter has escaped to the French Alps but I’d say they’re still slightly ahead of schedule.

I’ve had a message from Jamie at Wessex Water.

I just wanted to let you know that I have a team completing a burst water main on the 11th August on the Murcott road so the diversion route will be amended to allow us to complete the works.

The diversion route will be the same as when the council did the resurfacing earlier in the year.

I will be on annual leave while this work is completed so please contact wessex water directly and they will make sure it gets to the right person should there be any issues.

From : Michael Bromley Gardner

Here is the feedback from the judges who visited recently :

We began our tour of the village online, looking at the village activities, and were impressed by the number of things happening in such a small village. The Parish magazine was very interesting and engaging.

Arriving at the village (and avoiding the activities of Wessex Water!), we felt that the centre of the village was the church and churchyard. The approach along Church Lane was very well tended and gave us a good introduction to the church. The area around the church was excellently kept, the grass well under control around the gravestones, and the fringes left for conservation. Most of the gravestones were clean, but those within palisades were covered in ivy and it would have been nice to see them more clearly. The fringing area planted with flowering betony in front of the war memorial plaque was absolutely lovely. It was interesting to see that the inside of the church was sometimes used as a village hall – a great idea.

At the other end of the village, the area of small businesses was very neat and litter-free, but inactive on our visit. In Follyfield, we found that while gardens were mostly neat, the pavements and verges could do with some tidying and weeding, and brambles made some of the pavements slightly hazardous. We explored some of the footpaths, and while they were all passable, some clearance would have been a good idea.

The use of the telephone box as a site for the defibrillator is very sensible and appropriate, and the whole area around it was very neat and tidy – no litter at all, and that applied to the whole village. So, well done on the litter-picking.

Many of the gardens were extremely well kept, so the village is to be congratulated on that. Some did have unsightly trimmings of conifers, and we noticed one area behind security fences that seemed overgrown. Overall, the village has shown great community spirit and is to be congratulated on achieving so much with so few inhabitants! We gave it a high mark but rated it second in the Laurence Kitching competition.