Annual Parish Council Meeting

At a disappointingly small meeting (only two members of the village came) the Chairman reported that, during the past year, the Dane House holly hedge had been trimmed and would soon be topped; the soak-away on Lower Road had so far worked satisfactorily and the Recreation Ground pavilion had been repaired and redecorated. Bearing in mind the expense involved, it was hoped that children would have more respect for this in future. The question of dumped rubbish was raised at the meeting. It was admitted that efforts by the Parish Council to arrange for the R.D.C. to collect had not worked well. One councillor having offered his lorry, other Council members agreed to meet one evening and personally collect this rubbish, to enable a fresh start to be made.

W.J.W.

A NATURALIST'S NOTEBOOK

The month of March - a time of great excitement and expectation for most people who either live in or by the countryside. The time of year when March winds and storm clouds remind us of the dark days of winter, but on the other hand, when the sun shines and the temperature rises to bring forth the first of the Spring flowers and the annual armada of seed drills in the fields around our parish. It is not only human beings which wake up at this time of year, but much of our wildlife begins to stir from a long period of hibernation. I have already seen a Small Tortoiseshell at Stockbury and a Brimstone in Queendown Warren and whilst driving home through the village the other evening a Pippistrelle Bat was chasing the numerous winter moths which were flighting along the hedgerows. Whilst on the subject of hedges, I am wondering if our readers have noticed the wonderful show of Damson and Sloe blossom which adorns many of our hedgerows at the present time, and especially around the cricket ground? I have carefully avoided the subject of birds this month, but before I close I must mention that our summer migrants are beginning to arrive and I was fortunate to hear the first Chiff-Chaff in the Warren on 27th March.

W.F.A.B.

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS

Marriage

Feb. 23 David Frost and Mary Phillips (at Holy Trinity, Milton)

Cremation

Feb. 29 George Pope, aged 62.