Letters to the Editors
The Late Crier
Dear Editors,
It is difficult criticising voluntary work but my Crier is arriving later and later in the month - February's issue arrived on the 8th. One remedy would be to alter the dates for collating, editing and printing. I am one who is missing out on life.
Not quite as much life as we routinely miss every month trying to get your Crier out on time, Betty! Last month, there was an 11 day delay between the Crier going to the printers and it getting to your house. This is fairly disastrous for a monthly magazine. Eds
The Windmill
Dear Editors,
I read with great interest the latest chapter in the history of Swaffham Prior's Tower Mill. However, I thought that the community would also be interested in the circumstances which allowed the present owners to build on the achievements of the previous owner, who had restored it to working order from a near derelict state.
Michael Bulleid purchased the Tower Mill in 1970, from Sidney Foster, who had last worked the mill in 1946. From about 1975, as time and funds permitted, Michael undertook the restoration, supported by his wife Gay and family. At that time funding from outside bodies was seldom available; at a late stage of the project he received a grant from English Heritage to assist with the construction of new sails.
The mill produced flour once again on 1 June 1991, and was worked regularly until September 1997, when progressing illness prevented Michael from continuing. But-during those six years Michael remained responsible for the costs of maintenance and repair, partially offset by the sale of flour and visitor donations.
Michael's work on the windmill received much admiration from individuals and groups working on similar projects far and wide, and he was often called upon for advice and help. The fact that in the last 10-20 years many more windmills, watermills and other examples of Britain's industrial heritage are now restored owes much to the efforts of Michael and others like him - often regarded as eccentrics! The Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings took a particular interest in Michael's project and in 1995 awarded him a special Certificate in recognition of his work.
Michael died in May 1998, a few days after the sale of the mill, following a protracted negotiation period. He and Gay are buried in Swaffham Prior, their home for many years.
Coffee Morning
Dear Editors,
I want to thank everyone who came and supported the coffee morning on January 30th at my house. As well as having an enjoyable time, a total of £245 was raised for the church.
Yours Gratefully
Any Other Business
Dear Editors
Hazel Williams has attempted to justify why "Any Other Business"is no longer allowed on the PC Agenda. She says that "no decisions should be made which are not clearly identified on the agenda, so that anyone with an interest or opinion can attend and speak." Surely after all her experience she must know that not everything is, OR CAN BE, clearly identified on the agenda.
Mrs Williams goes on to say "This does not mean items cannot be presented for information and . . . as often happens, discussed during the meeting because items arise from a previous minute." In other words, points not on the agenda can be raised though this may depend on the skill of a member to relate it to some other topic being discussed.
So why not have "Any Other Business - for information only"before "Items for the Next Agenda"? This surely would be the simple answer. For some reason 'THEY'will not allow this. But who are THEY? Is it the Government? Was it John Prescott? Is it the National Association of Local Councils? Has no one ever queried the new ruling?
Mrs Williams'example of the dodginess of Burwell Parish Council twenty years ago is not very relevant. The "considerable sum of money"was not in the budget and therefore could not be spent and if members objected to the decision could it not have been revoked at the next meeting. Was it? Could it have been? Was there any further discussion?
I thank Mr Lewinski for his intervention and as usual he was (in his own words) talking "entirely theoretically" and without many facts.
Recycling
Dear Editors,
As Swaffham Prior residents, we should be proud of our already high rate of recycling within the region and UK as a whole. However, I believe we could do more to emphasize its importance in waste management and us as a parish and district should be a beacon for the recycling initiative. Getting our local primary and secondary schools and sixth forms involved can be vital to influence all our residents in our local community of villages. We should raise awareness to the district and county councils about more they can do to help us achieve our recycling goals.
Campaigning for funds from central government at Westminster may be a path we'll have to follow to allow our local councils to provide more maintenance of recycling facilities, centres and services. It's desirable that more materials should also be added to our list of recyclables to reduce landfill waste e.g. plastic (which should be available soon shortly). Incentives are a big issue in this debate and personally I believe the carrot works better than the stick approach in waste management. I think residents will raise their game if financial rewards are encouraged and put into practise. This is of particular significance as our council tax is rising this year with the coast of living soaring so it would be nice to see our extra work for our sakes and the environments being acknowledged in a beneficial way. At all political levels, councillors through to MP'S should consider this as a positive step forward concerning recycling in our country.
The Water Tower
Dear Editors,
I stumbled upon the Swaffham Crier Online, researching a local Water Tower... I am a water tower enthusiast! I read of the Parish Council debating the development of the water tower site.... I assume this is the water tower by the windmill? Please can you advise me if this tower has already been demolished or is there still a chance of me getting to photograph it before it comes down? Any information you may have would be most welcome.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Still there when we last looked, Ferrers! Come and photograph it any time - can any readers help with more information? Eds