In a presentation to about 100 delegates, Coun Fred Wickert explained how he and similar community-minded colleagues formulated a parish plan for the village.

It involved drawing up no fewer than 10 questionnaires for different sectors - for instance, households, 65 businesses, more than 20 known social organisations and also surrounding villages.

"Let's say it kept us pretty busy," commented Coun Wickert who has been secretary of the parish plan steering group.

Delegates at the event, held near Louth, heard that, at the latest tot-up, Wragby's facilities as a service village includes 15 shops, two pubs, three cafes, a surgery , a youth club, tennis courts, a sports field, a library, a sports hall, a town hall and a bowls club.

The purpose of the parish plan is to identify ways both to ensure the continuing vibrancy of the village in years to come and to act as a source document for securing grants from a range of funding agencies.

Coun Wickert thanked East Lindsey District Council's chief executive, Nigel Howells, and ward representative, Coun Peter Phillipson, for their invaluable assistance in the process.