The people of Davidstow are being invited to express their views, opinions and concerns about all things local in a parish survey organised by Davidstow Parish Council.

The survey will give the parish council information to help improve areas such as traffic, housing and health issues, local facilities etc. and will be the first time such information has been formally gathered under the new Cornwall Council.

Parish councils are now to play a greater part in the system of representing people's needs.

The outcome of the survey will give councillors a clearer picture of what our concerns should be and can then be expressed at the local Community Network meetings along with those of 18 other parishes that form the network.

Some changes and improvements under the new system could be immediately obtainable whilst others would be longer term but knowing which areas need attention is the first step no matter what the nature of the concern.

One item to be addressed is the future of the Village Hall Charity. The previous hall had become derelict and unworkable and was sold at auction last year. The current committee are looking at various

options as to how to provide a new facility in the parish.

One popular idea is to purchase land for use as a village green, providing an open space for annual festive celebrations, sports and general events and also include options of landscaping allotments etc.

The idea is still being appraised by the village hall committee who are inviting anyone who has ideas to contact them with any help or suggestions that they can offer.

The committee are also appealing to local land owners who may have suitable land available.

They say it would be an ideal way to safeguard the charities capital and go a good way to fulfilling the purpose of the charity.

In the long term the land could be used to

establish a new village hall as more interest is raised via community events on the green.

Other options include the refurbishment of St Davids Church Hall as a village hall or joining forces with a similar project in the neighbouring parish of Otterham.

Anyone wanting more information can address the committee in person at the forthcoming AGM on June 24, 7.30pm at The Wilsey Down Hotel in Hallworthy or contact the secretary, Simon Swale on 01840 261499.

Information on the survey is available from Davidstow Parish Council by calling Julie Dowton on 01840 261351.

Information on all aspects of Davidstow

including Parish Council and village hall meetings, minutes and current projects can be found on the Davidstow website http://www.davidstow">www.davidstow parish.co.uk where the results of the survey will be published in July.