The following were amongst items discussed at Parish Council meetings and information received by the Clerk. The full minutes may be found here.

Wellbrook Way
After extensive delays, we are confident that at last all the agreements are signed and the children's play area should shortly be constructed. Then the Council can begin work on the bowling green: we have already invited tenders after the Council on 20 January agreed the specifications.

2010: Election Year
Parish Council members are elected for a period of four years, and 2010 is the end of the current term. Several Councillors have intimated that they do not wish to stand for re-election. We are therefore on the look-out for community minded residents who would like to put a little time into working for their village. In particular we need:
* younger representatives;
* more women (we only have one at present); and
* residents from south of the A14 bridge, particularly from Wellbrook Way.
No qualifications are necessary and training is available. If you would be interested please contact the Clerk or Chairman. It is quite a while since we have had a real election in Girton to the Parish Council, and we are anxious that you, the residents of the village, should be able to influence the Council which in the next few years will have to take some very important decisions on your behalf.

Girton's Annual Gathering
Our Annual Parish Meeting is likely to be on 1st June in Girton Glebe's school hall . This is an occasion for everyone to come and have their say. The focus last year was on the development of the A14. This is still a live issue but the 2010 meeting will provide an opportunity for wider discussion as the results on the Parish Plan will be available by then. This village consultation has proved to be a great success. Come and hear what members of the village regard as really important. This will tell the newly-elected Parish Council what its priorities should be, and guide expenditure decisions by the Council over the next 5 to 10 years. Please make every effort to attend: it is important that the Council hears as many views as possible.

Work of Art for Girton
The well-known Histon artist Tony Hillier has offered a sculpture to Girton. The details have still to be agreed, but it will be one of his animal sculptures. The Parish Council has agreed to accept this gift with gratitude but has still to make a final decision on its location on one of Girton's open spaces.

New bus shelter for Girton
A new bus shelter has been erected on Huntingdon Road near Girton Corner by Girton Parish Council, and the old bus shelter removed. We hope users enjoy their new seat as well. Thanks are due to Girton College for their donation towards the cost.

Feast Week
A decision has been taken to arrange a celebration on the recreation ground every two years following the success of the 2009 event. So the next event will be in 2011 followed by 2013 and so on.

Village Planters
The planters through the village took a terrible battering during the cold spell. We are extremely grateful to Peter Graves for taking the initiative and tidying them up and replanting where necessary.

Consultation on Local Transport Plan for Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire County Council is consulting on existing and future transport issues in partnership with City & District Councils. More information will be available at exhibitions at the Grafton Centre on 13 February and at the Lion Yard on 17 March.

NHS - bringing hearing services closer to home in Cambridgeshire
Views on improving hearing services in Cambridgeshire are being sought between 4 January and 29 March with a view to making these more accessible to people in rural areas to ensure quality of care wherever people live. More information is available from Rachel Glendinning on Cambridge 725325.

NHS - launch of public consultation in South Cambs
It is proposed that Musculoskeletal Services (including physiotherapy) will consist of three elements from April 2010. A telephone advice service will help patients manage their condition; more specialist care will be available; and a multidisciplinary community team will be based at Chesterton Medical Centre. Call FREEPHONE 0800 279 2535 for further information, and to make your comments known.

Have your say on Cambridgeshire's Green Vision
Green Infrastructure is vital to the quality of life of residents in Cambridgeshire, which is why the Cambridgeshire local authorities and Cambridgeshire Horizons created their Green Infrastructure Strategy. They would like to know your thoughts on outdoor places and spaces, rivers and watercourses, country parks, woodlands, hedgerows, and public rights of way. You can find out more by visiting local consultation events:

Tuesday 26th January - 3pm until 7pm - Central Library, Cambridge
Sunday 31st January - 11am until 3pm - Milton Country Park
Tuesday 16th February - 3pm until 7pm - Central Library, Cambridge

You can comment online at www.cambridgeshirehorizons.co.uk/greenvision until March 7th, or call (01223) 714040 for further information and a copy of the questionnaire.

War Memorials Trust
A half day conference is being arranged in Cambridge in The Guildhall on 4th March for those interested in looking after our war memorials. Further information is available from Frances Morden on 020 7834 0200.

Lost property
A surprising number of items are left on the recreation ground each year. It does not seem to be widely known but the Parish Office does have a lost property corner. If you or your child has lost something you can telephone 472182 or visit the Pavilion from 9.30 to 12.30 during working days. You may be lucky!

And finally:
A wide ranging programme of wildlife courses are now available from the Bedfordshsire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire & Peterborough Wildlife Trust. Contact Juliette Butler on 01604 405285 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday between 9 & 2.30.

Forthcoming Meeting.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 17th February 2010 at St Vincent's Close Community Centre. The meeting will begin at 7.30pm. Members of the parish are welcome to attend.