Christmas Invite: People of different religions should be invited to Yarm's Christmas tree ceremony as a goodwill gesture to counterbalance tension surrounding a possible war in Iraq.

That was the view of Councillor Eric Turton at the latest meeting of Yarm Town Council. He said Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and others should all be represented at the annual High Street ceremony. The ecumenical idea will be discussed again at Tuesday's weighs and tolls committee meeting, which deals with various High Street matters.

Clerk's vacancy: The meeting was Sandra Smith's last as clerk, who was leaving after two years' service to concentrate on other activities.

Charities fair: The future of this event needed serious consideration, it was said, after the council agreed to pay £228 to Yarm Lions, which organises the annual event, to resolve a deficit from the last fair. Coun Turton accepted it was important to support good causes but said: "The fair has its merits but I think we need to seriously consider whether it is an effective method of fundraising, or whether we should cut the knot and look at other ideas."

School governors: School governors are needed for Levendale and Yarm primary schools. The council agreed to ask the schools to delay filling the vacancies until next May's elections.

Newsletter: When this idea was raised, Councillor David Henderson said: "I thought it was agreed we would no longer have a newsletter. The councillor who previously did it isn't very interested any more."

But Coun Marsden said: "A decision was deferred. I think we ought to have another newsletter to give the council a profile for the elections. We need a much higher public profile."

The chairman suggested two or three councillors work with Councillor Jake Dale, who was not present, on the project. It was also decided to publish a town guide.

Remembrance Sunday: The rector was keen to discuss this year's ceremony with the armed services, uniformed groups and ex-service representatives. As tea and coffee would be served at the parish church afterwards, the council decided not to offer refreshments this year.

Crab apple tree: Stockton Council was paid £89 for cutting down a diseased tree growing on parish land at The Rookery.

* For a full report see Friday's Darlington & Stockton Times