Past Parish Council News
The first records of Parish Council Minutes were from 1895.
March
The Chairman was Mr Howson. A complaint had been received about the height of stiles on footpaths. These were to be inspected and responsibility for stiles was to be ascertained.
April
It was resolved that water from the Parish pump should, in future, be for domestic purposes only. Engines and animals were prohibited.I expect they had to use the ponds or brook.
July
The matter of stiles was raised again. It had been found that they were not the responsibility of owners and occupies but that of the Highway Board and the Parish.Lighting was another agenda matter.
There was no lighting in the village although there had been previously.
There had been 12 lamps but it was now thought necessary to have 14. The cost would be £6.00 to £7.00. It was decided to leave the matter to the autumn.
A notice was to be erected about the restrictions of water use.
Presumably water was being used for illegal purposes!
October
Stiles again!It was now clarified that stiles and footpaths were the responsibility of the Parish. So the Council decided to fence off the footpath next to the Black Swan!
Perhaps walkers had to climb over the fences so could not complain about stiles!!
The matter of lighting was raised again. Lamps would be returned with the addition of 3 extra. The Rector offered to pay for the poles, the lamps and oil, and to have them lit. The extra lights would be positioned at the bridge and at either end of the village.
Can't afford to have lighting these days.
The water supply at the lower end of the village was discussed but any decision was deferred.
January 1896
A new well was proposed to be sited opposite Mr Radwell's house.Probably somewhere near the old School House.
October
The leasing of the Recreation Ground was discussed and it was hired by Mr F Abbott for the sum of six pounds ten shillings. The council agreed to fund a new gate to the field.
January 1897
It was decided to have a new "draw well" instead of a pump A chain and bucket would be provided and there would be a public notice warning against committing public offences.
These offences were not listed so one can only guess!
Meetings were very often adjourned because of insufficient numbers to make a quorum. The minutes are brief and discussion is rarely recorded.
A great amount of time was spent on the election of officers and in these early days these seemed to change regularly.
Another annual item for discussion was the leasing of the Recreation Ground which again seems to have changed hands frequently. There is never a hint that it was actually used for Recreational purposes!!
I hope you enjoyed reading these past parish council news items.
