SPEEDY promotion: Ellisfield's deputy parish clerk, Jacqui Matthews, of Mayfield, Lower Common, accepted the job of parish clerk at last Monday's parish council meeting.

It's a tribute to her ability that the appointment was made so speedily, and unanimously supported by all councillors present.

SPEEDING cars: For the second council meeting in a row, concern was voiced during the open forum about the speed of cars along Axford Road.

It was agreed that the second "holding letter" received from Hampshire County Council, after Cllr Peter Mitchell's second letter regarding traffic control on the Axford Road, was not good enough.

The parish council is on the case.

ATTENDANCE down: Sadly, there was just one member of the public at the meeting - as opposed to last month's seven, but he spoke up forcefully for Axford Road residents - and was rewarded with a shorter meeting.

WEATHER watch: September's sunny spell means a lot to local farmers, who have experienced a difficult harvest.

Consultant agronomist Seumas Foster, of Ellisfield, said the recent settled weather is most welcome, but that "some of the wheat crop quality has been lost".

Wheat is the main crop around here and Seumas added that a difficult harvest "is very tough, coinciding as it does with EU changes relating to the Single Farm Payment".

A complication is that other great wheat-producing countries have experienced better weather, meaning high-quality crops that command higher prices.

CHRISTMAS bazaar: On November 27, at Ellisfield's Memorial Hall.