Just about everything you can think of

Great parish council surgery last night. No, we didn't amputate anyone's leg though some councillors' tongues have been candidates in the past. 


Only joking. The surgery is held once  a quarter for members of the public, parishioners as we like to say, to come and ask, comment and press us to do more or better. It seems reasonable in a democracy.


So we had seven parish councillors and eight parishioners. Discussion ranged from grass cutting and facilities for the Acorn preschool to bus shelters and Party in the park and the future of a village fete. The nice thing about the surgery us we are not burdened down with all the paraphernalia of minutes and agendas which seem very cumbersome if you just turn up cold at a meeting. 


But the topic on which strongest opinions were voiced was dog mess in the parks. A few dog owners who treat our open spaces as their own to do what they like with spoiling it for the other 5,000. Kids specially. 


We have been stumped about this before but I think the PC will have to review the various solutions that have tried and failed in the past and try them again.   

Persimmon and bus shelters

A parishioner informs me that Persimmon  have remodelled one of the bus shelters at the top of Lodge Road without the drop kerb allowing access for wheelchairs/disability scooters. Said parishioner  seems pretty determined that Persimmon  will be putting this right PDQ. reports will follow.

The clock still ticks

We may have a solution to the insurance company-bars-scaffolding-around the church headache. This has currently stopped arrangements for the clock dial to be taken down and repainted. Now Smith of derby are clock maintenance company say that 'men on ropes' can swing down the tower and remove the dial. A scaffold free church with no invalidation of the church's roof top lead insurance cover. Fingers crossed.

Meeting tonight also involves representative from the PCT about the new health centre and theusual red hot stuff about bus shelters, parish notice boards and cemetery rules (OK).