Spring 1900
Mr Fowler took charge of the first meeting of the New Year on 9
January. The only notable business was that the Clerk was granted
two guineas for expenses in preparing the new Valuation List of the
Parish.
There was no meeting in February due to the weather.
On March 13
Mr Fowler was again acting as Chairman when the Council agreed that
water damage in Broadenham Lane and the fixing of a date for the Annual
Parish Meeting should be left to Colonel Henley.
This decision appears to have prompted a crisis for the meeting on 18
April was adjourned until 21st April .
Summer 1900
A meeting was held on 21 April at which, following a proposal by Mr
Eveleigh and seconded by Mr Perham, Mr F.J. Fry was elected Chairman. Mr
Fowler agreed to continue as Vice-Chairman. (Colonel Henley had served
for six years but had missed many meetings over the past two years, due,
apparently, to ill health. The Clerk was tasked to write to him, “according
him a unanimous and hearty vote of thanks for his services in the past
and also to express a hope for his speedy recovery from his illness”).
The Council agreed to raise the Clerks salary from £21 to £25 per
annum and to pay twelve shillings for the cleaning, lighting and heating
of the Jubilee Hall for meetings.
The rent for the tank from Colonel
Henley for emptying drains at Court Hill was also agreed to be paid.
A
discussion followed about flooding in Broadenham Lane. Serious damage
was said to have been caused, blame being levelled at one stage at Mr
Persey. Mr Budge came to his defence saying that the Rural District
Council had some responsibility and the Clerk was asked to write to them
in order to clarify matters.
On 11 May the only decision taken of note
was to advertise in two local papers for estimates for the repair of the
Churchyard wall. Two estimates resulted and at their meeting on 15 June
the Council agreed to accept Mr Bowerman's quote. This meeting also
agreed that the owners of land near the flooding in Broadenham Lane
should put matters right and then responsibility for its maintenance
should pass to the Rural District Council.
Autumn 1900
Meetings were held regularly in the Autumn of 1900, on 14 September, 9
November and 14 December. The Churchyard wall was repaired successfully
but at a price! When it had been done the Vicar Rev. Spencer declared
that the wall separating the Vicarage Garden from the Churchyard also
needed to be repaired! The Council agreed to investigate.
The landowners
in Broadenham Lane were chased by the Clerk to hasten remedial work to
the flooding problem and a small committee was formed to seek ways of
improving the water supply from the Parish Pump – it was successful!
The bill for the Churchyard wall repairs of £18 was settled and Mr
Bowerman's estimate of £5 for repairs identified by the Vicar was
accepted.
At the last meeting a letter of complaint was discussed. It
concerned water contamination caused by rainwater running off a house
entering a well. The property involved belonged to Mr Hodder in Fore
Street. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Hodder to rectify the
problem.
1901
Spring 1901
The first meeting of the New Year was held on 11 January. Present
were Messrs Fowler (Chairman), Dommett, Eveleigh, Perham and the Clerk
Mr Northcombe.
A scale of fees as required by the Burial Act, which came
into force on 1 January 1901, was examined and agreed.
The Clerk was
asked to write to Mr Hodder again as the water pollution had not been
rectified. Mr Fowler acted as Chairman at the meeting on 15 March. The
Clerk was asked to write to Mr Hodder again, the offending property
being one occupied by Mrs Gordon.
A bill from Mr Churchill for the
repair of the village pump was forwarded to the Rural District Council
for payment.
The Overseers and Parish Council accounts were examined and
passed.
Summer 1901
April 19 marked the first meeting of the newly elected Council. Its
composition was: Mr Fry (Chairman), Mr Fowler (Vice-Chairman), Messrs
Eveleigh, Loaring, Perham, Sylvester and the Clerk. Messrs Dommett and
Hodder were chosen as Overseers.
The Clerk was again requested to ask Mr
Hodder to disconnect the guttering from Mrs Gordon's house to the parish
well drain.
A precept on the Overseers for £10, £5 Burial Board
Expenses and £5 Parish Council Expenses were agreed.
Colonel Henley and
Mr Fowler were reappointed Trustees for Holsworthy Charity.
Mr Eveleigh
chaired the meeting on 11 May. The water problem was discussed but no
action taken.
On June 14 Mr Fry was Chairman. Little business was done. “Mr
Hodder's statement with regard to water was adjourned for the next
meeting.”
At that meeting on July 12 Mr Hodder promised to disconnect
the offending downpipe (action at last?) His promise may have had a
price for at the same meeting he asked that the gate leading from Clapps
Close to Balsam be repaired. The Clerk was told to write to Mr Hodder
advising him to write to the owner of the relevant property himself!
Mr Churchill’s
estimate of £5 to repair and paint the Cemetery railings was accepted.
Autumn 1901
Mr Fowler chaired the meeting on 13 September. The first entry in the
minutes records that the Clerk was asked to write to Mrs Gordon “with
regard to refuse matter being thrown from her premises into the
street”. (There was probably some ill feeling in Fore Street because Mr
Hodder had still not removed the down pipe affecting the well water.)
Some routine financial matters were settled and Mr Bowerman's quote for
additional work on the Churchyard wall was accepted.
The Clerk was asked
to write to the Postmaster General to complain about late deliveries.
Mr
Sylvester chaired the meeting on October 11. It was a meeting tying up
loose ends. The problems with Mrs Gordon had stopped, The Postmaster
General had promised better service, Mr Hodder had promised to
disconnect the pipe in a few days and Mr Churchill had finished the
Cemetery railings-a good meeting!
On November 8 Mr Fowler was Chairman.
A table of Burial fees was approved as required by the Burial Act 1900.
The meeting heard that Mr Hodder had not fulfilled his promise!
Some routine financial matters were dealt with.
At the last meeting of
the year Mr Sylvester was Chairman. It was reported that the Burial
Board fees had been approved .
It was decided that a notice board should
be erected in the cemetery.
The subject of the wells in Fore Street
featured again but no policy decision was made.
1902
Spring 1902
The New Year started with a meeting on 10 January. Mr Fowler was
acting Chairman. It was agreed that some Bye Law regulating the use of water in Fore
Street should be drawn up and discussed at the next meeting.
It was
resolved to remind Mr Hodder of his promise of 12 July and for the Clerk
to write to Mr Fry “expressing their deep sympathy with him in his
severe illness with a hope for his speedy restoration to health”.
On St Valentine's Day (14th February) the Council met in the Jubilee Hall at
7pm.
The Water Bye
Laws were discussed and approved.
A letter from Norah Fry was read out
conveying her father’s appreciation of the Council's letter to him.
The
Clerk was again requested to remind Mr Hodder about removing the down pipe
at Mrs Gordon’s house.
The next meeting on 14 March was
chaired by Mr Fowler. It was reported that the Water Bye Laws would have
to be approved by the Rural District Council. The Clerk was tasked to
write letters to Messrs Mitchell Toms and Co, The Ecclesiastical
Commissioners and to Mr Fry concerning the poor state of repair of parts
of their properties and therefore of the risk to the public.
The date of
the Annual Parish Meeting was agreed for 25 March. Finally, the Clerk was
asked to speak to Mr Hodder about ………… THE PIPE!!!
Summer 1902
The first meeting of the summer was on 15 April. Mr Fowler was
Chairman for the evening .Mr Fry was re-elected Chairman with Mr Fowler
as his Deputy. Messrs Dommett and Raisin were appointed Overseers.
Further meetings took place on 9 May and 13 June. The only noteworthy
decision taken was that “repairs in connection with the wells in Fore
Street should be left to the management of the members of the Council
residing in the village.”
Autumn 1902
On 16 September the Council dealt with a number of routine financial
matters and Mr Robbins was paid for repairs to parish wells. Mr Loaring
acted as Chairman.
On 10 October Mr Eveleigh took charge. A payment of
ten shillings was authorised to Mr Hodder for the erection of a Notice
Board for the Cemetery.
A precept for £5 for Parish Council expenses
was signed.
At the meeting on 14 November Mr Dommett was Chairman.
The
Clerk was asked to write to Mr Raisin asking him to make the pathway
from Verdhay to Malthouse passable.
Circulars from the County Education
Committee concerning scholarships were read out.
On 12th December Mr
Fowler acted as Chairman. The Clerk was reminded to write to Mr Raisin
and cheques were signed for the Sexton's and Minister's Fees.
The Clerk
was also requested to make inquiries “as to the advisability of
insuring The Caretaker of Cemetery under the Workmen’s Compensation
Act”.
1903
Spring1903
On 9 January the Council met under the Chairmanship of Mr
Eveleigh. Mr
Loaring was tasked to see the owner of the pathway in Verdhay as no
repairs had been made since the last meeting. The Clerk was asked to see
Mr Robbins about the drain at Malthouse.It was obviously still causing trouble. He was asked to write to the Rural
District Council should Mr Robbins deny responsibility.
Unusually the
Council met in the Schoolroom on 13 February, with Mr Loaring in the
Chair. It was reported that the Malthouse drain had been cleared by the
Rural District Council. Little other business was done.
On 13 March Mr
Fowler acted as Chairman. A cheque for Mr Cook’s salary and grave
digging was signed (£1.10.0) and the Somerset County Education Scheme
discussed.
On 15 April Mr Fry and Mr Fowler were re-elected Chairman and
Vice-Chairman again at a meeting headed by Mr Dommett. Messrs Pym and
Raisen were chosen as Overseers. Other Councillors present were Messrs
Loaring, Perham and Sylvester.
The accounts were examined and passed. A
vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers. It was agreed to
obtain estimates for the repairs to the parish wells (a never ending
problem!)
On 8 May Mr Fowler acted as Chairman. It was agreed to accept
Mr Tolman's estimate to repair the wells and the Clerk was asked to write
to the Postmaster General to complain of the absence of a second house
delivery.
On 29 May a special meeting was called to select a Local
Manager under Section 6(2) of the Education Act 1902. Mr Fowler acted as
Chairman. It was unanimously agreed that Mr Robert Lane Dommett of Hey
Farm should be appointed.
It was also agreed to suggest Mr S Wyatt and
Mr A Budge from which the County Council might choose their
representative. The Council decided to tell the County Council that they
felt it better for the school not to be grouped with any other, as it is
four miles to any other school.
Summer 1903
There were only two meetings in the summer, on 12 June and 7
August.
Little happened of note. A problem with a footbridge near Wayford was
discussed, Mr Robbins was authorised to carry out work on the water
supply and Mr Tolman on the churchyard wall. The meeting noted that Mr
Hodder had still not disconnected the downpipe on Mrs Gordens
property!!!
Autumn 1903
On 11 September Mr Fowler chaired the meeting. Two bills were
settled, one for Mr Cook for his salary and grave digging £1 and one
for Mr Tolman for repairs to the churchyard wall for two shillings and
sixpence.
On October 9 Mr Perham chaired the meeting. Only Mr Loaring,
Mr Sylvester and the Clerk attended. Two cheques were signed, one for
the Post Office Guarantee (Telegraph) for £1.15 and one for Mr Robbins
for six shillings for repairs to the wells in Fore Street.
On December
11 Mr Fowler took charge. The Overseer's Account as audited in October
was examined and a complaint about the stile and footpath from Colham to
Chalkway was discussed. The Clerk was asked to write to the owners. It
was unanimously agreed to write to Mr Perham “expressing the regret of
the Council at losing his valuable service and also recording his
unfailing interest in the welfare of the villagers during his long
residence in the parish.” It was again mentioned that Mr Hodder had
not removed the down pipe from his house in High Street.
1904
Spring 1904
The first meeting of the New Year was on January 8 in the Jubilee
Hall, chaired by Mr Dommett. Little business was done but at the
subsequent one on 12 February the Clerk was asked to write to Mr Hodder,
this letter bringing a reply, which was discussed at a special meeting
on19 February chaired by Mr Fowler. It was agreed that the Clerk should
write to Mr Hodder telling him that unless the down pipe is disconnected
the Council will refer the matter to the Rural District Council.
The
meeting on 11 March, chaired by Mr Eveleigh, saw the departure from the
Council of Mr Sylvester. He was thanked for his contribution.
The newly elected Council met on 15 April. Mr Fry was elected Chairman
with Mr Fowler as his Deputy. Messrs Pym and Holcombe were chosen as
Overseers. Others present were Messrs Dommett, Eveleigh, Loaring, Wyatt
and the Clerk.
The accounts were examined and a Precept of £5 on the
Overseers drawn up. After some discussion it was agreed that the whole
Council should meet at the top of Fore Street on Monday 18 April at 6.30pm to
resolve the water supply problems.
It was also agreed that the Clerk
should write to Wayford Parish Council about the obstruction of the
public footpath leading from Winsham to Wayford caused by the erection
of new cottages at the Wayford end of the pathway.
On April 22 a special
meeting took place, chaired by Mr Fowler. It decided to advertise in
Pullmans Weekly News for tenders to improve the water supply in Fore
Street.
Summer 1904
On 2 May tenders submitted by Mr Churchill for £30 and by Mr Fowler
for £35 were discussed. After careful consideration the Council
concluded that they could not justify such large expenditure.
Consequently no tender was accepted. Mr Fowler chaired this meeting.
However, the Council did agree to ask Mr Churchill for an estimate for
some more minor work on the water supply.
The next meeting was on 13
May, chaired by Mr Fowler. The accounts of the Overseers and Parish
Council audited by Mr Estcourt were examined.
It was reported that Mr
Hodder had disconnected the down pipe as requested, (but only after
countless letters and the threat of involving the Rural District
Council!!) It was agreed to leave any further improvements to the water
supply in abeyance for the moment. The Parish Council meeting on 17 June
handled routine matters apart from deciding to ask the Clerk to write to the family of Lord Portman
expressing their sympathy (for the death) and also their appreciation of his great
interest in the parishes of Cricket St Thomas and Winsham.
The meeting
held on 12 August was chaired by Mr Eveleigh. Others present were Messrs
Loaring, Pym and the Clerk. Two letters were read and discussed, the
first from Wayford Parish Council denying any obstruction to the
footpath and the second from The Hon Alexander Hood conveying his
family’s appreciation of the letter of condolence sent from Winsham.
Autumn1904
The first meeting of the autumn was on 9 September.
Mr Fowler took
charge.
Cheques were signed for The Postmaster General-Council share of
expenses of Telegraph, for Mr Cook’s salary and grave digging and for
petty cash. Little other business was done
.
On 11 November Mr Fowler
acted as Chairman at a meeting attended by Messrs Dommett, Eveleigh,
Loaring, Pym, Wyatt and the Clerk. A precept of £5 was signed for
Burial Board expenses and a complaint about the dangerous state of the
footpath in Verdhay discussed.
The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Raisen
requesting him to repair the path. The Clerk was also asked to write to
the Postmaster General asking for a post box to be erected at The Four
Cross Way, Whatley thus making life much easier for people living at
Whatley, Leigh, Whatley Mills, Clayplot and Street.
The most important
part of the meeting was the discussion over a letter received from
Messrs Capel Cure and Ball regarding the transfer of the Jubilee Hall to
the Parish Council.
A resolution, proposed by Mr Wyatt and seconded by
Mr Eveleigh was carried unanimously. It stated that “The Parish
Council gratefully accept your proposal contained in your letter of the
1 inst and to carry on The Jubilee Hall as the late Lord Portman wished
provided they can accept the conditions under which the transfer will
take place”.
On 9 December the Council met in the Jubilee Hall with Mr
Fowler as Chairman. Updates were given and discussed about the Jubilee
Hall, the Verdhay footpath and a post box at Four Cross Way.
The County
Basis for Rating letter was also mulled over, the result of which was
that the Clerk was asked to write pointing out that their proposed Basis
was £50 more than the Parish Rateable Value for Agricultural Land.
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