Summaries of Parish Council business

1935-1939
(RPI Index-47-see Introduction)

1935

The first meeting was held in the Jubilee Hall on 27 November .Those present were Revd Richardson (Chairman) and Messrs Perry, Pym, Warren, Florey, Appleby and the Clerk. A letter from the Performing Arts Society was discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk should write to them explaining the purposes for which the Hall is let. Payments agreed were:

(a) Precept £30
(b) Rates £2.0.10d
(c) Mr Beer (Caretaker of Recreation Ground) £0:15:0d (half year salary)
(d) Piano tuning £0:8:6d
(e)Electric Light Company £0:10:3d

Spring 1936

The first meeting of the New Year was on 7 January. Revd Richardson acted as Chairman. Apart from the signing of routine cheques little business was done except the reporting to Chard R.D.C. of the flooding of properties at Malthouse.

The Council next met on 28 February in the Jubilee Hall with Revd Richardson in the Chair. A letter from the Surveyor of Chard R.D.C. was read stating that the flooding at Malthouse was not a matter for them to resolve. The application to erect headstones on the graves of James Good and Henry Paull was granted. The Council decided to apply for £50 from the R.D.C. Assessment Committee for the coming financial year .It also agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on 16 March. 

The Statutory Meeting took place on 23 March. Revd Richardson was re-elected as Chairman with Mr Appleby Vice Chairman. Others present were Messrs Perry, Phillips, Florey, Pym and the Clerk. The Council agreed a plan of work to improve the Recreation Ground by painting the swings with the help of the Caretaker, Mr Beer. They also agreed that the trees on Park Lane should be felled, as they pose a danger to traffic. This opinion contradicted that of Dorset County Council which suggested fixing reflectors to them. Various routine cheques were signed.

The Council met on 11 May. Revd Richardson acted as Chairman. A letter from Dorset County Council was read and it was agreed that no further action would be taken over the trees on Park Lane. The Clerk was asked to draw Mr Morgan’s attention to a complaint about the fence on Lee Lane footpath. The Council authorised the erection of headstones on the graves of the late Mr Loaring and Herbert Gill. Routine cheques were signed.

Summer 1936

On 22 June the Council met. Revd Richardson was Chairman. Others present were Messrs Perry, Warren, Pym, Phillips, Florey and Appleby, not forgetting the Clerk. A letter was read from Mr Morgan stating that he would install easy steps on the stiles on the Lee Lane footpath. The Council welcomed this offer. The Chairman agreed to ask Chard R.D.C. for a notice board at the refuse dump.

Autumn 1936

On 22 September the Council met. Revd Richardson acted as Chairman. The meeting decided to write to Dorset County Council about the trees in Park Lane. It was also agreed that Mr Loaring should do the necessary repairs in the Jubilee Hall and that Mr Churchill should lower the electric light in the kitchen. A precept of £30 was signed and various cheques were authorised. The Council decided that a list of charges for the use of the Hall should be displayed on the notice board. 

On 10 November the Council met with Revd Richardson acting as Chairman. The Clerk reported that no letter had been received from Dorset County Council about the trees in Park Lane. As no reflectors had been fitted the Clerk was asked to contact the Council as a matter of urgency. Members were delighted by the announcement that Mr Hall of Cricket St Thomas had offered to pay for the renovation and alterations to the Jubilee Hall. The Chairman undertook to thank Mr Hall personally for his generosity. A variety of cheques were signed. 

The last meting of the year was on 23 December. Revd Richardson was Chairman. He reported that he had written to Mr Hall and he then suggested that Mrs Hall should be asked to reopen the Jubilee Hall when the work had been completed. He also thought that a plaque should be installed to record this generous gift. This was agreed. The usual routine cheques were signed and it was decided to write off the sum of £0:14:6d as irrecoverable (allotment rent due from Mr Butler).

Spring 1937

The first meeting of the New Year was on 9 February in the Jubilee Hall.Revd Richardson was Chairman. The Council decided to arrange the reopening of the Jubilee Hall for Easter Monday .It also decided to delay discussion about the Coronation and the building of a new school in Chard until the Annual Parish Meeting. A precept for £25 was signed. Payments were authorised for:

(a) Income Tax £3:11:3d
(b) Insurance £1:5:6d
(c) Mr Robins £2:4:8d
(a) Mr Halse £0:8:3d
(b) Mr Peacock £0:3:6d

The Parish Council met on 1 March in the Jubilee Hall with Revd Richardson acting as Chairman. A letter was read from Mr Morgan offering, on behalf of Sir George Davies M.P., an acre of ground for a Recreation Field. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Morgan accepting this most generous offer. A proposed change to the bus timetable was discussed and it was agreed that the matter should be raised at the Annual Parish Meeting. The Council granted permission for a vase to be installed on the grave of the late Alfred Budge. 

The Statutory Meeting of the Parish Council took place on 22 March. The newly elected Council was made up of Revd Richardson (Chairman), Mr Warren (Vice Chairman), Messrs Appleby, Pym, Perry, Florey, Phillips and the Clerk. Messrs Appleby and Perry were elected School Managers. Payments were made to:

(a) Mrs Phillips Allotment Rent £6:10:0d
(b) Mr Grabham £6:5:0d
(c) Mr Paul £6:0:0d
(d) The Clerk £6:19:1d (to cover Water Rates, Ministers Fees, Sextons Charges, Postage and Stationary and his salary).

Summer 1937

On 20 May the Council met in the Jubilee Hall.Revd Richardson was Chairman. The meeting began with a vote of sympathy being expressed to the widow of the late Mr Pym. The Chairman was asked to write to Mrs Pym expressing the sympathy of the Parish Council and its appreciation of Mr Pym's service as a Parish Councillor over many years. The Council discussed the danger of crossing the road at Whatley Cross. It was agreed that the Clerk should apply for a Halt Sign to be erected there. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Churchill with a request to repair the gates in the pathway across Ammerham Fields. 

There was a brief meeting of the Parish Council on 23 June chaired by Revd Richardson. The Sanitary Inspector attended in order to explain the proposed extension to the present sewage pit. The plan was approved. A number of routine cheques were signed.

Autumn 1937

The first meeting of the Autumn was held on 6 September. Revd Richardson acted as Chairman. It was reported that the footpath across Ammerham Fields was being obstructed by barbed wire being put over the stiles .The Council agreed to have it removed. The Clerk was asked to get Mr Loaring to repair the Recreation Ground wall. The Council granted permission to Messrs Appleby and Childs to erect skirting around the grave of the late Mr Alfred Budge. Routine cheques were signed. On 6 October the Council met with Revd Richardson acting as Chairman. The Council endorsed a letter from Chard R.D.C. proposing a Refuse Collection Scheme. A second letter from a Mr Adcock was then discussed. He was writing on behalf of the Winsham Flower Show questioning the charges being made for the use of the Jubilee Hall. After due consideration the Council decided to waive any charges “in consideration of the generous gift of the Committee to the Jubilee Hall”. The Clerk reported that Mr Beer, Caretaker of the Recreation Ground, had resigned. The Council agreed not to replace him until the new part of the Recreation Ground was ready. Routine cheques were signed. 

On 11 November the Council met with Revd Richardson acting as Chairman. The Clerk was asked to get Mr Loaring to repair the gates leading to the Cemetery. Permission was granted for headstones and skirting to be erected on the graves of the late Mr V Hellins (?) Paul’s Ash and Mr H Rowe Grange  Thorncombe and lettering on the grave of the late Miss Grinstead. 

There was a Special Meeting of the Council on 22 December in the Jubilee Hall chaired by Revd Richardson. The Draft Conveyance of a parcel of land of 1.339 acres to provide an extension to the present Recreation Ground was read out. The land, currently owned by Chard R.D.C., was to be bought by Sir George Davies M.P. and then donated by him to Winsham Parish Council. After due discussion the Council approved the draft. “It was proposed by the Chairman Revd Richardson and seconded by Mr J Phillips and carried unanimously that the thanks of the Parish Council be given to Sir George Davies M.P. for his generous gift”. 

The final meeting of the Year was on 29 December. Revd Richardson acted as Chairman. The minutes of the last meeting and the special meeting were approved. Cheques were signed for:

(a) Mr Grabham £7:15:0d
(b) Mr Paul £3:18:0d
(c) Income Tax £3:15:0d
(d) Rates incl Water Rates £3:2:6d
(e) Ministers Fees £0:15:0d
(f) Sextons Fees £0:10:0d
(a) Tithes £0:1:3d
(a) Electric Light £0:10:8d

Spring 1938

The first meeting of the New Year was on 2 February. Present were Mr Warren (Chairman), Messrs Appleby, Phillips, Pym and the Clerk. The Council agreed to the planting of a hedge in the Recreation Ground, the felling of some apple trees there subject to the approval of Sir George Davies and to a request from Chard R.D.C. to lay water and sewage pipes within the area. 

The Statutory Meeting of the Parish Council was held on 28 March. Revd Richardson was re-elected as Chairman with Mr J Warren Vice Chairman. Members present were Messrs Appleby, Perry, Phillips, Florey, Warren and the Clerk. A letter was read from Chard R.D.C. thanking Winsham Parish Council for giving up a portion of the Allotment Ground for housing. Various routine cheques were signed.

Summer 1938

The Council met on 27 June. Revd Richardson acted as Chairman. The Clerk was asked to write to Chard R.D.C. about a shortage of water in Church Street and Court Street. It was agreed to raise the charge for digging a grave from fifteen shillings to one pound subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health. It was decided to post up rules governing the use of the Recreation Ground. Routine cheques were signed. 

On 26 August the Council met with Revd Richardson acting as Chairman. The Council was asked by Chard R.D.C. to recommend four tenants for the new council houses. Nominations were Mr E. Perrot of Fore Street, Mr R. Spurdle of Fore Street, Mr R. Singleton from Church Street and Mr Down of Church Street or Mr Bevis from Malthouse.The Council agreed to the Young Men's Club hiring the Jubilee Hall for £5 per season. It was agreed that Messrs Phillips and Warren should form a deputation to complain to Chard R.D.C. about the water supply. A cheque was signed to pay Mr W. Spurdle £1:15:0d for work done in the Recreation Ground.

Autumn 1938

On 29 September the Council met. Revd Richardson acted as Chairman. A letter from Chard R.D.C. was read promising to investigate the complaints about the water supply and stating that a visit from a deputation would be unnecessary. It was reported that three of the Councils recommendations as suitable tenants for the council houses had been accepted. However Chard R.D.C. felt that as Mr Down was not yet married preference should be given to Mr Bevis and Mr L. Dowell, both married men with families, who were living “in houses that are unsanitary”. It was reported that Messrs R.Spurdle, E.Perrott, R.Singleton and G.Bevis had moved in to the new homes. The Clerk informed the meeting that more allotments would be required for housing and he was asked to inform the present tenants.

On 10 November the Council met with Mr Appleby acting as Chairman. It was agreed that a letter from the Ministry of Health about any increase in grave digging charges should be discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting in March. The Clerk was asked to obtain more details from Chard R.D.C. about the extension to the water scheme and to apply for the removal of the standpipe outside Mr Mildon's shop. Mr Phillips agreed to get an estimate for improvements to the lighting in the Jubilee Hall. Various routine cheques were signed.

On 28 November the Council met. Revd Richardson chaired this meeting. A letter from Chard R.D.C. was read giving details of the new water reservoir. It stated that the cost would be met from the general rate for the whole district with a contribution of one third from the County Council. A tender from Chard Motor Supply for improving the lighting in the Jubilee Hall was accepted. The Council decided to charge five shillings for each A.R.P. meeting in the Jubilee Hall. Consent was given to South Somerset Electricity Company to erect two poles in the Recreation Ground. It was agreed to pay off the loan on the Cemetery Ground to the Westminster Bank Chard.

Spring 1939

On 4 January the Council met. Revd Richardson acted as Chairman. Little business was done apart from dealing with a query from the Inspector of Taxes over ownership of the Recreation Ground and the state of Pools Lane.

The Statutory Meeting was held on 24 March. Present were Revd Richardson, Messrs Phillips, Appleby, Perry, Florey, Pym, Warren and the Clerk. Revd Richardson was re-elected as Chairman with Mr J. Warren as Vice Chairman. A letter from the Ministry of Health about grave digging charges was read and the Clerk was asked to reply. Various cheques were signed including one to Chard Motor Supply for £7:16:0d for the improvements to the lighting in the Jubilee Hall.

Summer 1939

On 27 June the Council met with Revd Richardson acting as Chairman. Others present were Messrs Appleby, Florey, Perry and the Clerk. A letter was read from the Somerset Police asking for all the help the Council could give to the work of the A.R.P. The Clerk was asked to reply to both this letter and one from the Somerset Community Council about the rates paid for the Jubilee Hall. Various routine cheques were signed.

Autumn 1939

The Council met on 27 September, Revd Richardson acting as Chairman. It was agreed that the Young Men’s Club should have use of the Jubilee Hall for £5 per season .The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Partridge with a request for him to lower the steps on the stile in Ammerham Fields. He was also asked to write to Chard R.D.C. requesting that they put a white line on the road leading out of Chard Road into Church Street Winsham. Various cheques were signed.

On 28 December the Council met. Present were Messrs Appleby, Pym, Phillips, the Clerk and Revd Richardson the Chairman. It was reported that a reply had been received from Chard R.D.C. about marking the road. The Clerk was asked to write to them about several leaking standpipes in the village. Cheques were signed for:

(a) Mr Grabham £4:15:0d
(b) Mr Paul £4
(c) Income Tax £5:5:0d
(d) Rates £3:9:10d
(e) The Clerk £5:6:5d to cover paying Mr Churchill £1:4:8d,Insurance £1:16:5d,Electricity £0:8:8d,Mr Robins £1:10:0d,Ministers Fees £0:3:0d,Sextons Fees £0:2:6d Tithe £0:1:2d.

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