BRAMSHOTT and Liphook Parish Council changed the format of its Annual Meeting by giving community groups an opportunity to make their own presentations.

This year’s event, held at the Millennium Centre, attracted many representatives of clubs, groups and organisations across the parish – and was opened by Love to Sing choir, under the direction of Vaneaa Breach, who entertained a full house with classics from musicals like Barnum and Mary Poppins as well as songs by Bob Dylan, Adele and Ed Sheeran.

The parish council’s annual summary was given by chairman Jane Ives, who revealed 150 planning applications have been discussed and commented on over the last year, and spoke about grants made to clubs and organisations.

She added that currently a total of £1,162 is still available for any late grant applications.

Projected costs for the parish include £101,604 for maintenance, £26,000 for tree works, £20,000 to be spent on the Millennium Centre, while the council handed out £19,788 in grants, the Neighbourhood Development Plan has cost £11,319 so far, insurance amounts to £6,732 and Christmas lights costs are £3,125.

Mrs Ives also explained the parish council was responsible for the upkeep of areas around the village, including Radford Park, the Recreation Ground, Hammer Vale, Fletchers Field, the Millennium Green

It will also be spending developers contributions for open spaces on some capital projects, with the replacement of Radford Park Bridge top of the list.

Homestart Weywater, who received a grant from the parish council, spoke about the friendship, emotional and practical support their volunteers offer to the eight families living in Liphook, including 15 children.

They will be holding a fundraising race night on Saturday, April 21 – details available from its Bordon office.

Newly-appointed Carnival committee chairm an Sally Cameron promised to encourage more floats back to Liphook’s biggest annual event in October, – last year it attracted 5,000 visitors.

Plans are being made for another fundraising quiz night and a family fun day – both in June, the Carnival walk in September as well as a black tie dinner dance, with all funds going to the running of the Carnival.

Other presentations were made by Adrian Bird of the Preservation Society and Heritage Centre, who spoke about projects covering the last 50 years; Paul Robinson for the Peak Centre Trust which looks after the Day Centre and benefits the elderly in the village; Terence Bermingham for the weekly Citizens’ Advice Bureau which helped more than 150 people; Mum and Me Netball Club; Geoff Goldsack for Voluntary Care; Roger Miller of the award-winning Liphook Community Magazine and Alison Purkiss (Alzheimers Society), who is hoping to turn Liphook into a dementia friendly village.

Reports by East Hampshire District councillor Angela Glass and Hampshire County council Floss Mitchell – as well as an update from Emma Wingfield, Chantal Foo and Darren Ellis on the Neighbourhood Development Plan – concluded the evening.