AFTER the recent elections Ripple Parish Council is one member short of its full complement of nine councillors. Throughout the parish we have posted notices requesting co-option volunteers to put their names forward.

Of more concern is the situation that presently the village of Ripple is without representation on Ripple Parish Council, and may remain so unless some residents of Ripple accept a civic duty and put their names forward.

While parish councils are not usually ward oriented, in a widely spread parish such as ours we feel it is only right to have as close a representation of the geography as possible among our elected members.

This is an excellent way of becoming involved in local affairs and everyone on the electoral role is eligible from the age of 18. Do not be concerned if you feel you do not have experience in local affairs, we will offer appropriate training. Also our parish council is not about politics, there are no parties, only local people trying to find practical solutions to the issues of the area.

So residents of Ripple, please do not hold back, come and participate in the management of Ripple and your parish.

Contact our clerk Lorna Gower on 01684 594346 for details.

Mike Ostick (chairman, Ripple Parish Council), The Beeches, Holly Green.