THE Avebury and District Millennium Fund has raised almost £4,500 which villagers are considering how to spend on projects that will be of lasting benefit to the communities involved.

The money which was largely raised at a gala day on July 15 is to be shared between the villages of Avebury, Winterbourne Monkton and Berwick Bassett.

A meeting in the Social Centre at Avebury discussed how the money was to be spent and it was agreed that none of the projects should be for items or services which would normally be financed by the local authorities.

Numerous ideas were discussed including the provision of six wooden benches to be provided in the villages.

The meeting heard that Avebury Parish Council chairman John Cronk has been filming all aspects of village life during the past year. It was agreed to look into the costs of producing a video which would be made available to villagers.

Another permanent memorial discussed was the provision of inscribed sarsen standing stones close to the churches in all three parishes.

Other ideas included a Millennium wall hanging to go in the social centre, the planting of snowdrops in hedgerows, the provision of better facilities at the Avebury sports field and a village book.