THE ruins of the old St Margaret's Church in Hopton officially now belong to the parish council - bought from the Church of England for just �1.The end of the long-running saga was announced at the annual parish council last week, however, cash is needed to stabilise the walls of the Grade II listed ruins.

THE ruins of the old St Margaret's Church in Hopton officially now belong to the parish council - bought from the Church of England for just �1.

The end of the long-running saga was announced at the annual parish council last week, however, cash is needed to stabilise the walls of the Grade II listed ruins. It is hoped the �135,000 will be forthcoming from grants.

Once all is sorted, a community centre and a caf� could be built within the 800-year old ruins, which now has it's own website at www.oldstmargarets.com.

Councillor Mike Butcher was re-elected chairman at the meeting with Councillor Ken Hicks taking the post of vice chairman again.

There had been expected to be a parish council election on June 4 to fill a vacancy, however only one nomination had been received and it was confirmed that resident Maureen McGovern will be elected unopposed.

In his report, PCSO Dave Nickerson said there had been 50 calls from residents to police during April, with 12 crimes recorded. Key priorities are parking in the areas of Station Road and Coast Road.

Councillors heard that following a meeting with an official from the borough council, two badly damaged steps on the sea defences have been fenced off and further works are awaited.

It was also agreed that two new drop-down bollards would replace two wooden posts at either end of the recreation ground car park entrance, at a cost of up to �300 each.

Some discussion took place concerning the installation of an additional bollard to the left hand side of the existing barrier on beach Road to stop jet skis being manoeuvred around the closed barrier. However, the gap left would be wide enough for wheelchair users. A quotation is to be obtained from GYB Services.

Matters raised by the public at the meeting included sea defences with Cllr Hicks to follow up caulking works to the walls; overgrown sides along Beach Road, which could be remedied by GYB Services and or the probation service's unpaid work unit; and No entry” signs painted on the road at the junction exiting the village onto the A12.

The next meeting is on Monday, June 8 in the village hall, at 7pm.