Residents will be aware that for some time the Parish Council has been trying to purchase the 1.2 acres of land off Common Piece Lane with plans to put this to community use. The Council tried to buy the land through the agent but was unsuccessful as it just could not come up with sufficient money.

Over the last week, since receiving an overwhelming response to the subscription request, the Council have tried to negotiate the purchase of the land prior to auction, but were not able to achieve this, the auctioneer being confident the land would sell for well above the guide price.

Members of the Parish Council went to the auction today to bid for the land with just over £34,000 including fees to be paid if we were able to secure the land. Unfortunately, this figure was quickly passed in the auction room and the land sold for £49,000.

Councillors present at the auction, managed to have a brief conversation with the successful bidder and are reassured by that conversation.

The Parish Council would like to thank all those residents who pledged money to the fund to help the Council try to buy the land. The Clerk will return all the cheques to those who pledged in the next few days.

Although unsuccessful, it has shown great community spirit!