AT their latest meeting, councillors heard a report form Councillor Short regarding the Villages In Bloom competition this year. Upwell is hoping to inspire residents to green-fingered abandon by launching a challenge to gardeners to present their best

AT their latest meeting, councillors heard a report form Councillor Short regarding the 'Villages In Bloom' competition this year. Upwell is hoping to inspire residents to green-fingered abandon by launching a challenge to gardeners to present their best garden for judging in July. There is one trophy for the best garden in Upwell and a separate prize for the best in Three Holes or Lakes End. There is no charge to enter the competition and entry forms can be found at shops in Upwell and Three Holes.

Councillor Short also provided the meeting with progress on the Inland Waterways Association rally, due to be held at St. Ives at the end of August. Boats from across the country will be using Well Creek to get to and from the event and it is hoped Upwell will be a favoured mooring. The council is in discussions to provide extra facilities around the time of the event and to make sure that the riverbank and surrounding area is at its best.

Information had been received about the West Norfolk inter-village games, organised by the West Norfolk Borough Council, and members heard that Upwell has been invited to put forward junior and senior teams to compete against rival villages across the region at badminton, table tennis, five-a-side-football, netball, indoor bowls, squash, athletics and more. The event is to be held at Lynnsport, King's Lynn on Sunday July 1.

Councillor Morgan reported that funding of £10,000 had been promised from WREN towards replacement of the village hall roof, which is leaking badly. It remains for the council to find suitable match funding for the remainder of the amount required to finish the work.

There was a general discussion about the amount of vandalism and anti-social behaviour at and around the hall. It was revealed that a CCTV camera and 'mosquito' device were to be installed on a temporary loan from the borough council's ASBO team. The 'mosquito' is a new device aimed at dispersing young people from known trouble spots. IThe meeting heard from councillor Humm regarding a meeting at Welney about the impact of the recent floods. It was revealed that the Environment Agency is carrying out a study which will be published next year and consideration will be given to raising the level of the road, making it usable for longer periods. Next meeting: May 14, Upwell Village Hall (7.30pm). There will be a councillor surgery for half an hour prior to the meeting for members of the public with concerns or queries.