Making a noise in Cranfield

How often have you tried to keep a committee going? It usually ends up with one or two people doing all the work, burning out and then the whole thing collapsing.

I have lived in Cranfield for 20 years - I've been involved with a variety of voluntary and local public bodies and I recognise the problems. I personally find community involvement rewarding, sometimes frustrating and nearly always exhausting. But for me, if you live in a community you should take part in its activities and whatever decision-making is available to it.

The nearest thing we have to local decision-making is Cranfield Parish Council (CPC). This Blog is principally about the Parish Council which I have been a member of, for more than four years. Parish councils are the butt of jokes from time immemorial and the Vicar of Dibley didn't help (though I'm a huge fan). Nevertheless there is no other 'council' that will be more aware of local problems and be prepared to take some action.

I'm aware that parish councils vary and some are probably quite sleepy. On CPC however there is always something to keep you awake. Issues such as traffic, housing, anti-social behaviour and the state of our recreation grounds are among the hot favs. Over the summer however, a local issue came right out of the blue - or out of the church bell tower more likely.

It arose because our church clock, which for eccentric historical reasons is maintained and managed by CPC, was out of action for several years. When it was repaired and rehung Mid Beds District Council received complaints from two residents who had moved in to earshot during the maintainance period. They argued that the chiming clock kept them awake in the middle of the night. The district council facilitated readings and then issued CPC with a 'noise abatement order'. I.e stop that clock.

As chairman of the Burial Grounds Committee (which manages the clock) I recommended that we abide by this and members agreed. Nevertheless we are appealing the decision and this is due to be heard in December. There were silly season news reports on Look East and Anglia Reports and even some interest from national newspapers. Nevertheless this bizarre development engaged conversation in Cranfield and provoked some very strong opinions. You only had to read Cranfield Express, the village's high quality local newsletter, to see that. The whole issue has touched some nerves about what makes us a community and what is taken as given. I have enormous sympathy with anyone who experiences disruptive noise but I never expected to be faced with an issue like this one and I felt the needs of the whole community should come first.

For the moment the issue has gone quiet - like the clock - and we are dealing with the nitty gritty of parish council life. That includes giving our views on planning applications for rear extensions and renovating the memorial garden in the cemetery. But you never know when the weather will change and you find yourself hoisting the storm cones.

Parish council life can be pretty lively!