THE freshly painted Barbour Institute in Tatten-hall has been officially opened in time to play host to the Parish Plan launch.

Lord Mayor of Chester Mike Jones and Lady Mayoress Suzanne Jones officially opened the village building which has benefited froma£200,000make over and villagers came along to see the various stalls, organised by village groups.

People involved in compiling the parish plan exhibited the finished glossy49pagebooklet which was funded by a grant from the county council.

The plan has enabled people in the village to voice a vision ofthefuture andwillnowhave the potential to influence planning decisions.

The process started in summer 2004 where the community was consulted and volunteers cameforwardtowork on the project. The whole plan has been completed by these people and 10% of households in the village were consulted on their views.

A survey was also circulated to all the houses in the village so everyone was consulted.

The professional magazine style booklet encompasses ideas and wishes on topics such as housing, the local economy and transport.

At the weekend a newsletter was also available for residents, the community association was on hand to explain work carried out in the institute and user groups attended to explain their activities.

In the main hall an exhibition of old photographs in aid of the Clatterbridge Cancer Research Trust, Organised by John Stoneley and Mike Whit-tingham was on show. £710 was donated to the Research Trust from the exhibition. The Parish Plan will be distributed to every household in the village and copies will also be handed out at various events in the area.

liza.williams@cheshirenews.co.uk