From our Reporter at the Parish Council Meeting
No reporter could attend the October meeting so it was decided to give readers a treat and reproduce a report written 20 Years ago almost to the exact day. Can you tell the difference? Or does nothing change? The reporter was Rick Meopham, the man who so long ago appears to have set the style and tone of the Crier's PC reports. In those days there was no range of type faces or styles. It appeared exactly as below.
Rick's Report on the Parish Council Meeting
After the summer recess parish councillors returned, not exactly in force,
since two were missing. Many of the items on the agenda were of an
'on-going'nature and had been aired at previous meetings. These
included the rebuilding of the churchyard wall (I wonder if Hadrian had
experienced similar problems?), emergency planning and maintenance of the
cemetery.
An initial decision was reached with regard to the proposed new cemetery access. The lease of the strip of land between the Vicarage and the churchyard, on which it is proposed to lay a 'not too elaborate all-weather surface', is to be purchased at a cost of £250. One member registered his opposition to the plan by his abstention from the vote.
The planning applications for Nos 10, 12 and 27 Tothill Road and Bridgefarm House were passed. Applications for a new residential lodge adjacent to the existing lodge at Swaffham Prior House and for the erection of two stables, a feed store and tack room at Kents Hall were also agreed.
A letter to the council on the subject of the village footpaths, prompted a lengthy discussion. One problem addressed concerned private hedges/trees restricting footpath access and it was decided to ask the County Council to issue warnings to offenders. Before considering the path from the Beeches to the Church, it was decided to find out what powers the Council has in this respect.
'Rights of Way', another on-going agenda topic, had but a brief mention as the County Council officer responsible is away on a study tour of China. Can we expect to see rice fields in the fen shortly.
The Clerk announced the result of the Best Kept Village Competition. Presumably our dismal placing (last!) is directly proportional to the enthusiasm and interest shown by councillors on hearing the result!
The County Surveyor is to attend the next meeting to advise members on the long term proposals for the Fen road repairs. Parish Council members from Reach and Burwell are to be invited to attend since it is a matter of common interest and concern.
So, very little appears to have changed until you read Ruth Stinton's report on the same meeting. Ruth was the then Clerk to the PC.
Parish Council
Several people in the village have attended courses on Emergency Planning. Emergency planning includes all major hazards, both the peacetime type and the wartime ones and, with this in mind, the Women's Institute in Swaffham Prior has drawn up a list of members who would be willing to help if an emergency did happen in the village.
If you could accommodate anyone overnight, if you have spare blankets, oil or gas lamps or any camping equipment available, please contact me so you can be included on the list.