Summaries of Parish Council business

1965-1969
(RPI Index-13-see Introduction)

1965

Spring 1965

On 3 February the Council met in the School Room. Miss Harding was Chairman. She opened the meeting by thanking all Council members for attending the Memorial Service for the late Sir Winston Churchill. The Clerk reported that he had had a fruitful meeting with the District Surveyor. They had discussed the various problem areas and he was assured that action would be taken. He said that they had met a very friendly Mr Ibbotson who had agreed to remove the heap of stones but reserved the right to put them back if vehicles continued to damage his property. A Precept of £90 for the Year 1965/6 was agreed. Colonel Boyce reported on the Jubilee Hall and to it being registered as a charity and so legalising the position. It was agreed to have notices displayed locally and also to have one put in the Chard and Ilminster News. After a period of twenty-one days, Colonel Boyce, Chairman of the Hall Management Committee, would regularise the registration. It was agreed to update the insurance cover on the Hall in consultation with the Management Committee and for the Parish Council to pay the premium. It was reported that the matter of the Green Lane Bridleway would be heard at Ilminster Magistrates Court on 25 March. The Clerk and Mr White agreed to attend.

A long discussion took place about the Churchyard wall. It was reported that some sixty foot had collapsed and that the remainder was in a dangerous state. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Ministry to determine the way ahead. Various cheques were signed.

On 1 April the Council met in the Jubilee Hall prior to the Annual Parish Meeting. Miss Harding was Chairman. The Clerk reported that he had made enquiries as to who was responsible for repairing the Churchyard wall but believed that the answer would be a long time coming.

On 14 April the Council assembled in the Jubilee Hall for an Extra Ordinary Meeting. The purpose was to discuss the Green Lane Bridleway (the meeting had been requested by Somerset County Council following a three month adjournment of the case by Ilminster Magistrates). Mr Strickland from Somerset County Council was invited with Mr Hartley from Chard R.D.C. and Mr Warren the landowner concerned. Mr Carr of Purtington, Mr Ian Macdonald, Agent for the Cricket St Thomas Estate and Mrs Rudkin of Kentsleigh Estate also attended. Miss Harding chaired the meeting. Mr Strickland opened the discussion by saying that considerable costs could be involved in retaining a Bridleway, which, in his opinion and that of the Magistrates, appeared not to be used. Mr Hartley supported this view. Mr Warren said that he was unaware that the Bridleway existed when he built on it as his deeds were with his solicitor. He said he felt it better to build on derelict land rather than on good ground. The Clerk found this statement “difficult to understand”. Mr Carr thought that matters should be left as they were. A long discussion followed “getting nowhere”. The Parish Council then asked all guests to leave the room while they debated the issue privately. The conclusion of this debate was that the Council voted “ that the Bridle Way 30/19 on the Definitive Map and known as Green Lane be kept open at Reasonable Expense as a Bridle Way”. The guests then rejoined the meeting and were told of the Councils decision. Mr Strickland agreed to inform Somerset County Council and to arrange for the County Surveyor to “have something done”.

Summer 1965

On 28 May the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. The minutes of the Extra Ordinary Meeting were read and signed. A long discussion followed in which the Clerk gave his account of that meeting and expressed his disappointment at the attitude of the Council. (The voting at the Extra Ordinary Meeting had been four in favour, one against and two abstentions.) The Chairman referred to an earlier meeting at which the Council had voted unanimously to keep Green Lane open implying that the Councils resolution should not be questioned. The members then agreed to apply to Somerset County Council for a diversion to the footpath from Church Street to Broadenham to rectify the error made by the Planning Authority in allowing a concrete yard to be placed across the original footpath. It was reported that the British Legion had offered to reset and point the War Memorial at no cost. This offer was accepted. Miss Ralston was appointed as the Councils representative on the Jubilee Hall Management Committee. The Chairman proposed and Colonel Boyce seconded a vote of thanks to Mr Phillips for his wonderful work over the past year and for allowing a room in his house to be used as The Parish Council Office. Various cheques were signed.

At the conclusion of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on 28 May the Annual Parish Council Meeting was held in the School Room. Miss Harding was re-elected as Chairman with Mr White as Vice Chairman. Reports were given on the Recreation Ground, the Jubilee Hall, Cemetery and the Churchyard. Miss Ralston found unanimous support for her resolution for the Council to write to Chard R.D.C. “ in the strongest possible terms” of local concern about the danger posed by Whatley Bottom to motorists and pedestrians.

On 21 July the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. Others present were Mr White, Colonel Boyce, Mr Grabham, Mr Hawker, Miss Ralston and Mr Phillips. Mr Hebditch and Mr Newton were unable to attend. The Clerk read out some correspondence about the diverting of the Green Lane Bridleway and the Broadenham footpath. He then reported that the accounts had been audited and that he had informed them that Winsham had precepted for a larger sum for 1965/6 in order to pay for the rebuilding of the Churchyard wall. After a discussion the Council agreed to propose to the Parochial Church Council that the wall be rebuilt in the same materials but at a lower height in places. The Clerk reported that at a meeting with the District Surveyor he had put forward the Councils wishes to site the Toc H seats at the corner of Ebdon Lane by the wall adjoining Colonel Bowden’s house, on the Children’s Playground and at the Cemetery. The seat at the Cemetery would only be there in the summer. In the winter it would be at the Recreation Ground. A meeting of the Parish Burial Board was fixed for 29 September for the revision of burial charges. Various cheques were signed.

Autumn 1965

On 29 September the Parish Council and Burial Board met in the School Room. Miss Harding was Chairman. Before the meeting began the Chairman and members of Toc H presented three seats to the Council. The Chairman was Mr L Griffin and the members Messrs H and A Spurdle. Miss Harding thanked Toc H for this generous gift. A discussion about burial fees was postponed.

A letter was read from the County Council denying that an error had been made over the Broadenham footpath. It asked the Parish Council to get in touch with Mr Smith the farmer. The Parish Council decided to ask the County Council to deal with the matter and to keep them informed. A second letter from the County Council was read giving approval for the siting of the Toc H seats. It was agreed to ask Mr Peacock for an estimate for suitable plinths for them. The Clerk gave a resume of the housing needs of the village as discussed at the recent R.D.C. meeting. A letter from the District Valuer was read concerning the transfer of land. It was reported that the R.D.C. sub committee had recommended the building of ten Old Peoples Bungalows. The Council considered this number to be about right. However the Council said they wished to choose the exact location. In return for this site it would be necessary for Chard R.D.C. to offer three to three and a half acres of land for recreational purposes and that any excess should be offered to private enterprise in due course.

On 20 December the Council met in the School Room. Miss Harding was Chairman. A letter from the District Valuer dated 6 December was read and then discussed at length. It laid out the terms for the exchange of land between Chard R.D.C. and Winsham Parish Council. There was general agreement on the document and the Clerk was asked to write to Chard R.D.C. saying this and detailing the two provisos:

(1) That the legal charges do not prove to be excessive
(2) That the Rural District Council be invited to share the cost of the fencing when this becomes necessary

Colonel Boyce reported that the Jubilee Hall had been registered as a Charity. He handed over the conveyance dated 8 December 1905 between Hon.Alexander Nelson Hood and Winsham Parish Council. The Chairman thanked Colonel Boyce for his hard work. She then thanked the members for the prizes which they had given for the Jubilee Hall Whist Drive. Various cheques were signed.

1966

Spring 1966

On 16 February the Council met in the School Room. Miss Harding was Chairman. The Council agreed to place between £150 and £175 on deposit at the Westminster Bank to pay for the repairs to the Churchyard wall. A letter from Colonel Tomkins complaining about the state of the Court Street-Wynyards Lane road had been forwarded by the Clerk to the Highways Authority, as had the letter from Miss Newick about the dangerous bend at Whitegate. The Council agreed to ask Messrs Clarke, Lakin and Newton to act on the Councils behalf over the exchange of land with Chard R.D.C. There was a debate about the billeting of refugees in the case of nuclear attack. The following motion was carried unanimously, “ That the Civil Defence Committee of the R.D.C. be invited to produce a key plan on a Dispersal Billeting Scheme and submit same to the Parish Council for perusal”. The members agreed to meet at the Churchyard on 23 February at 5.30pm to inspect the wall. They also agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on 30 March in the School Room. Another letter of complaint about the state of the Cemetery Lane footpath was discussed. The Council decided to send it with a covering letter to the incumbent. There was a discussion about a letter from Chard R.D.C. concerning The Lighting and Watching Act. The Council agreed that they did not want to adopt the Act “ until such time as the Parish Council wish to install street lighting.” The following cheques were signed:

(1) R Rowe Churchyard trees and preparatory work on the wall £17:7:5d
(2) D J Evans (Caretaker) Cemetery, Churchyard and Recreation Ground work £23
(3) R Rowe Clearing ivy from the Churchyard wall £3

On 23 February the Council met at the Churchyard as agreed. They inspected the wall and agreed that it should be repaired to the second level in phases. It was decided that the first section to be repaired should be the seventy foot length from Church Street to the Priests Walk from the Vicarage to the Church. It would be necessary to advertise for tenders in the local press. Miss Harding chaired this meeting.

Summer 1966

On 2 June the Council met in the School Room. Miss Harding was Chairman. The Clerk reported that there had only been one tender to repair the Churchyard wall. This had come from Mr Fowler of Chard. It had been accepted, he had done the work very well and it was agreed to pay him £138 for this section. His tender of £180 for the second phase was accepted and the Council decided to ask him to complete this part as soon as possible. “ The usual Red Herring re the state of the footpaths in the village was again brought forward in respect of the footpaths leading from Poole’s Lane to the Cemetery and Broadenham Farm to Court Street.” The Clerk was asked to follow up this complaint. Mr Phillips reported that the Toc H seats had been installed and were greatly appreciated by both young and old. The Council regretted very much the passing of Hilda Mary Evans, a member of the Council for many years. It was agreed that the Chairman would represent the Council at the funeral. The following cheques were signed:

(1) Somerset Association of Parish Councils £2:8:0d
(2) Chard and Ilminster News Advertisement £0:11:0d
(3) Prudential Assurance Public Liability £4:10:0d
(4) Mr B Fowler Churchyard wall repair £138
(5) Mr G Peacock Toc H seats installation £23:15:0d
(6) Audit stamps £3
(7) Chard R.D.C. Land Exchange £7:7:0d (This sum was payable to Messrs Bird and Bird, Solicitors acting for the successors in title of Sir George Davies, one time MP and Chairman of Winsham Parish Council)
(8) D J Evans Caretaker of Churchyard, Cemetery and Recreation Ground £15
(9) Honorarium for Parish Clerk £20
(10) Shaw & Son Burial Account £1:0:9d

At the conclusion of the ordinary Parish Council Meeting on 2 June, the Annual Parish Meeting was held. Miss Harding was re-elected as Chairman with Mr White as Vice Chairman. Mr Phillips agreed to continue as Clerk, again!! Miss Ralston agreed to continue as the Parish Councils representative on the Jubilee Hall Management Committee.
The Clerk was asked to contact Chard R.D.C. about the dangerous corner at Whatley Bottom, the hedge at White Gate belonging to Mr Baker a retired dentist and the roadway at the Ammerham railway bridge.

On 27 June the Council met in the School Room. Miss Harding was Chairman. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss “ The Deeds of Release of the Parish Owned Recreation Ground for Larger Area of West Field owned by Chard R.D.C.” The document was scrutinised and various comments and observations made. “ Miss Ralston proposed and seconded by Colonel Boyce that Mr Phillips be thanked most sincerely for his hard work on behalf of the Council in bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion. Carried unanimously. Mr Phillips could not reply. Words failed him.”

The Council met on 8 August in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. The idea of this particular meeting was for the invited representatives of all the village clubs to hear of the plans for the new Recreation Ground and of what grants might be available for equipment and facilities. Mr Goodliffe, Secretary of the Somerset Playing Fields Association and Mr Hartley, Clerk and Solicitor to Chard R.D.C. were present to brief the audience and to answer any queries. The Clerk agreed to obtain the necessary forms to apply for grants and a Steering Committee was formed to get things under way. Members were:

Mr David Griffin - Football Club
Mr Norman Good - Cricket Club
Mr R Bone - Band
Mr Dawson - British Legion
Mrs Lovelock - Women’s Organisations Representative
Mr White agreed to help Mr Phillips with his secretarial duties during this committee stage.

On 15 August the Council met in the Jubilee Hall with the Recreation Ground Steering Committee for a joint discussion. Miss Harding was Chairman. Mr Dawson agreed to obtain estimates for the cost of a hard tennis court and Colonel Boyce told the meeting that no one should regard the new Recreation Ground as simply a gift. It was, he said, an amenity and each club using it needs to be financially self-supporting. It was agreed that any ideas for the new facility should be aired at the General Parish Meeting planned for 14 September.

Autumn 1966

On 14 September the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. The Clerk reported that the repairs to the Churchyard wall would continue as soon as the contractor, Mr Fowler, had recovered after breaking both wrists! He then stated that the accounts had been audited and had been found to be in order. The only comment concerned the Clerks expenses and the Council voted unanimously for Mr Phillips to be given £10 to meet these costs. He was thanked for his hard work in dealing with the auditors. The Clerk provided an update on the legal details of acquiring the new Recreation Ground and he said that he had fixed a meeting with Mr Horsey, Assistant Diocesan Land Agent, on 27 September to discuss the Poole’s Lane - Cemetery footpath. Several Council members agreed to attend this get together. Various cheques were signed.

On 26 October the Council met at Mr Whites house. Mr White was Chairman. The Clerk reported that the District Surveyor had visited Whatley Bottom. He had stated that some improvement could be made subject to the approval of the landowner Mrs C Pym. The Clerk then read out correspondence he had received from the Assistant Diocesan Surveyor with suggestions to resolve the “Right of Way” to the Cemetery. After a discussion the Council agreed to try to buy half an acre of land plus the right of way. An application for a licence to keep caravans behind the Bell Inn for a further year was approved. The conditions were to remain unchanged. The Clerk read a letter from the Correspondent of the Primary School seeking payment for Council meetings held at the School. After a discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should take up the matter with Commander Jesseman, the County Council Representative. Various cheques were signed.

1967

Spring 1967

On 16 March the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. She opened the meeting by welcoming Major and Mrs Cameron who were present. She then welcomed back Mr Phillips after his illness. A Precept of £160 for the year 1967/8 was agreed. The Clerk reported that he had exchanged letters with Mr Horsey, the Assistant Diocesan Land Agent, about the purchase of land for a right of way and a Cemetery extension. After a long discussion the Council asked the Clerk to arrange a meeting between themselves and Mr Horsey. The Annual General Parish Meeting was arranged for 29 March. A cheque payable to C H Rudkin for playground signs and fittings was signed.

Summer 1967

On 1 June the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. The Clerk reported the result of the uncontested election held on 6 May. The following people were elected:

Arthur Boyce - Leigh House

William George Grabham - 10 Bakers Field

Beatrice May Harding - Jessamine Cottage Western Way

Charles William Hawker - 20 Western Way

Joe Hodder Phillips - Lime Kiln Way/ High Street

Janet Dunn Ralston -  5 Bakersfield

Alfred Richard White - Church Street

Marjorie Annie Wren - Lullingstone, Fore Street

Phillip Arthur Wren -  Mynydd Moel - Fore Street

Miss Harding was re-elected as Chairman with Mr White as Vice Chairman. Mr Phillips asked to resign as Clerk to the Council and Burial Board for health reasons. He said he would “ endeavour to carry on until a successor is found”. The Council agreed to install three new swings in the playground at a cost of £30:15:0d. This sum did not include labour costs. Revd Fairweather and Police Officer Rowe were chosen to be Council representatives on the School Management Board. Miss Ralston agreed to serve on the Jubilee Hall Management Committee. Mr Grabham was chosen to serve on the Recreation Ground Committee. Various cheques were signed.

On 3 August an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council was held with Mr Horsey, Assistant Diocesan Surveyor, in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. The aim of this meeting was to negotiate the purchase of some land for an extension to the Cemetery and to acquire the legal right of way to the Cemetery. During a long debate Mr Horsey revealed that the Council had no right of way at the moment due to faulty legal work when the land was bought as a Burial Ground in 1890. He said he could produce the necessary documents to prove this. As regards the Parish Councils request for a portion of the Glebe Land he said that the incumbent would not favour this, in fact, he had given a flat refusal. Mr Horsey agreed to see the incumbent again to explain to him the Councils point of view. A cheque was signed to Mr Evans for £57:15:0d for grounds maintenance.

Autumn 1967

On 5 October the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. The Clerk reported that he had not heard anything from Mr Horsey about the Cemetery extension and right of way. There was a discussion about the confusion caused by the house numbering system. Major Cameron had written to say that there were two houses numbered 1 in Fore Street. Members said that they were aware that the numbering in Church Street was also confusing. A long discussion ended without a plan to solve the problem.
The Clerk reported that there had been a meeting with Chard R.D.C. officials to try to resolve the problem of congestion caused by the lack of parking for the council houses in Western Way and Fore Street. It was agreed that an area between Bakers Field and Western Way should be made available and that lay- byes should be created in Back Street.

On 7 December the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. The Council supported unanimously a proposal by Mr White and seconded by Miss Ralston that the Old Peoples Bungalows be named Davies Close. This, he explained, would recognise the gift to the village of the land on which they stand by the late Sir George Davies. The land served originally as a Recreation Ground and was subsequently exchanged for a larger area at West Field.
It was reported that the War Memorial had been repaired in time for Remembrance Sunday but that much more work was needed. Colonel Boyce said that such work was beyond the resources of the Legion. A long discussion took place over the re-siting of the Memorial but no conclusion was reached. A letter was read out suggesting that the ceiling of the Jubilee Hall should be lowered to save heat, the lighting improved and the Hall redecorated. A debate followed, the conclusions of which were that the ceiling should not be lowered, that secondary glazing should be installed on the windows and that the re-decoration should go ahead as planned on a self help basis. A letter was read from the Diocesan Assistant Surveyor informing the Council that the Benefice would not sell any land for an extension to the Cemetery but would sell land for a right of way. After due discussion the Council decided to refuse this offer. The Clerk reported that he had handed over the Alliance Property Dividend to the Jubilee Hall Management Committee.

1968

Spring 1968

On 6 March the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Mr White was Chairman. A letter was read from the Diocesan Land Agent Mr Horsey saying that “ the main gate leading in to the Glebe Field would be chained and padlocked and that the key would be kept in the Vestry table drawer for the use of bone fide traffic. Displeasure was expressed by the Council but decided to take no action in the matter.” The Clerk forecast a Precept of £160 for the financial year 1968/9. He announced that the recent audit had been satisfactory and that there was an overall balance of £588:13:3d. This figure included the Alliance Property Holdings Stock and Ordinary Shares. Mr Phillips then said that he thought that the first four units of the Old Peoples Bungalows would be ready for occupation in about six weeks time. It was planned that they would be opened by the Rural District Council. It was reported that the Winsham Telephone Exchange was over loaded and that a new site was required. It was thought that an area behind the thatched cottages in West Street would be the most suitable. The Annual Parish Meeting was arranged for 27 March in the Jubilee Hall at 7:45 pm. Various cheques were signed.

Summer 1968

On 4 June the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. The Annual General Meeting followed. The first meeting was brief and only confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting. Miss Harding then vacated the chair before the Annual Meeting started. She was unanimously re-elected as Chairman. Mr White was also re-elected as Vice Chairman, again unanimously. Mr Phillips agreed to continue as Clerk.
There was a discussion about re-siting the War Memorial, the conclusion being that it would be too expensive to do so. The Clerk reported that the proposed diversion of part of the Chard to Winsham road i.e. between Street Farm and Whatley Farm had been displayed to the public and there had been no objections. He said that the plan would therefore be approved by the Highway Authority in due course.
The Council debated a letter from the Misses Hunt of Bridge complaining of the poor maintenance of local footpaths and asking for them to be signed. The Clerk said that he had spoken to Chard R.D.C. and that the necessary work had been noted and would be done in due course. The Chairman asked Mr Phillips to take up the matter of the Green Lane Diversion with Chard R.D.C. It was reported that the lease on the Recreation Ground, a 99 year period at a rent of £1 per annum, had been signed by the Chairman and the Clerk. (The lease was between Chard R.D.C. and the Recreation Ground Management Committee rather than the Parish Council.) The Council agreed that the sum of £300, paid by Chard R.D.C. for the old Recreation Ground, should be credited to the Recreation Ground Committee once expenses had been deducted. A cheque for £150 was authorised for payment straight away. Various other cheques were signed.

Autumn 1968

On 2 October the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. The Clerk produced a map showing all the local footpaths. This map had been prepared by Chard R.D.C. following the complaint from the Misses Hunt at the last meeting. Mr White took charge of it and undertook to have it displayed in the shop. The Clerk reported that negotiations and planning for the new telephone exchange were going ahead. He also reported that the recent audit had gone well, the only comment being the large amount of money on deposit. The Clerk had explained that some of it was money paid for the old Recreation Ground which would be transferred to the Jubilee Hall Management Committee shortly. Mr Phillips said that Messrs Clarke, Lukin and Newton, the firm of Chard Solicitors handling the transfer of land for the Council, had completed their work for nothing as the Recreation Ground Committee was a Trust. The Chairman agreed to write to thank them for their generosity. The Clerk reported that he had handed over the sum of £10:15:3d to the Jubilee Hall Management Committee. This money was the dividend received from the eight and a half per cent Unsecured Loan Stock 1992/97 for the half year ended 31 July 1968. There was a discussion about signing each street and having street lighting but both ideas were dropped due to cost. Cheques were signed for the following:

(1) Mr G Peacock Repairs to the Churchyard Gates £3:9:6d
(2) Mr D J Evans Cemetery, Churchyard and Recreation Ground Maintenance £50:17:8d
(3) Winsham Recreation Ground Management Committee £150

On 20 November the Council met with Miss Harding acting as Chairman. The Clerk said that H M Auditors had pointed out that burial fees need to be approved by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and that this had not been done in 1948 when the last revision was approved by the Parish Council. He said that a revision was needed now and that he would make the necessary application. This was agreed. Two cheques were signed.

1969

Spring 1969

On 12 March the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. A Precept of £160 was agreed for the financial year 1969/70. There was a discussion about car parking in Western Way. It was reported that Chard R.D.C. favoured a lay bye at the far end of the road and for there to be parking spaces created behind Nos 5-8 Western Way. The cost of such a scheme was estimated at £2300. It was said that a number of villages have the same problem and it will be for the R.D.C. to set priorities. The Council decided to buy a new Hayter 21 with which to cut the grass in the Cemetery, Churchyard and Recreation Ground. The plan was for the machine to be demonstrated on 15 March and, if it proved satisfactory, to be bought for about £90. The Annual General Meeting was fixed for 20 March.

Summer 1969

On 23 May the Council met at Mr Whites house. Miss Harding was re-elected as Chairman with Mr White Vice Chairman. It was reported that the mower trial had gone well and a Hayter 21 duly purchased. The Clerk said that the site for car parking had been approved and that the only problem was getting the necessary funding. It was reported that the burial fees had been compared to those in Chard and it was agreed to send their fees to the Ministry for approval. The question of extra land for burials was raised and it was decided to leave the matter in abeyance until a new incumbent takes office. Mr Wren was chosen to replace Mr White as the Parish Council Representative on the Recreation Ground Management Committee. Mr White had said that he wished to stand down due to other commitments. Miss Ralston agreed to continue to serve on the Jubilee Hall Management Committee for another year. Two cheques were signed.

Autumn 1969

On 20 October the Council met in the Jubilee Hall. Miss Harding was Chairman. It was reported that work would start shortly on the car parking area on Western Way. Colonel Boyce proposed that the thanks of the Parochial Church Council be conveyed to Mr Evans and Mr Grabham for the general tidiness of the Churchyard and surrounds for the induction of the new incumbent. An application from the Jubilee Hall Management Committee to have one long communal notice board outside the Hall was granted. The board was to have separate secure spaces for the various village organisations. The Council decided to have its own separate board but of the same design and at the same height as the main board. Each organisation would have its own key and would pay five shillings a year for this new facility. An application from the Winsham Women’s Institute to place a litter basket behind the seat on the Children’s Playground was granted. The W. I. had undertaken to empty it as required. The Clerk reported that the accounts had been audited and that the balance in the Burial Account was £89:3:1d and in the General Account £167:7:10d. The Clerk reported that the new reservoir being built on Leigh Hill would hold 600,000 gallons of water. Messrs Fletcher & Co from Poole were the contractors. He also reported that Chard R.D.C. had inspected the stiles at the entrance to the Cemetery and had considered them to be satisfactory. Other footpaths and stiles were to be inspected in due course. The Council decided to ask Revd Bateson, the new incumbent, to serve on the School Management Board in place of Revd Fairweather should the latter not wish to continue. The Clerk read a letter from the Secretary of the National Association of Parish Councils saying that a suitable piece of land for a burial ground may be done in accordance with the Burial Act 1852, 26 as amended, the consent of a Parish Meeting not being required. Various cheques were signed.

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