On Friday 1st September the congregation and friends of St Denis Church enjoyed a memorable gathering which took the form of a ‘Pate and Plonk’ party generously hosted by Ann & Dick Moss at their charming residence.
The large attendance which included the Rector of the Revel parishes, the Reverend Christine Garrod together with the Reverend Beth Smith, sat out in the garden enjoying the warm late-summer sunshine.
Ladies of the congregation had produced an enticing array of pates each labelled to show the wide and appetising variety available. These exotic dishes, served with crusty breads and salad, helped down by a selection of wines all contributed to a particularly enjoyable feast.
A bumper raffle in which everyone participated so generously helped the event to raise over £400 as a much needed addition to the church funds.
The parish council held its monthly meeting at the village hall on Monday 4th September. Four parish councillors, the county councillor and four members of the public were present. Councillor Tony Gillias acted as Chairman.
In the open part of the meeting the proprietors of the Pailton post office made a disturbing appeal to the parish council for support following receipt of a letter from Warwickshire Rural Community Council circulating a warning of a threat of further reductions of sub post offices throughout the country. All present shared their concern and expressed the hope that all possible support should be given to maintaining the present range of services operated by post offices together with the shop which will become increasingly dependant upon customer loyalty. The councillors agreed to write to local Members of Parliament stressing the importance of the post office to the residents of Pailton and nearby villages. A petition will be kept at the post office and it is hoped that many signatures will be collected before the stated time of decision in 2008.
A member of the Village Trust committee reported that funding for the playing field equipment was now in place and a meeting with the contract manager of Wicksteed Leisure is to take place on Friday15th September at the playing field to finalise arrangements for its installation.
The contractor for the village grass cutting had still not responded to a request for a quotation to cut the grass at the playing field.
A copy of a circular from Cty Cllr P Morris-Jones has been received urging parish councils to notify Insp Gill Young of Rugby Police of the dates of their meetings. Complaints have been received that the police very seldom make visits to their rural communities so it is hoped that more frequent attendances at parish council meetings will result from this initiative.
Rugby Borough Council is once again offering bulbs and saplings to enhance the appearance of villages. The Chairman proposed to accept the bulbs for the village verges and the Village Trust requested a small number of hawthorn saplings to fill the gaps in the playing field hedge.
RBC has funding available for community projects from the O2 Company which will be investigated by councillors.
Warwickshire County Council have not yet responded to a request to improve the lighting at the two traffic chicanes.
John Cunliffe has completed the Parish Plan and submitted a copy to the RBC for approval. A draft copy can be seen on the website www.pailton.org.uk
Cllr M.Barnett has applied for information on Central Networks grant aid scheme. This funds projects of up to £2,500 for a better and safer environment and for which it will be the only provider. The parish council may consider applying for improved fencing for the playing field.
The Chairman reported that the local bus service had improved. 12 buses a day travel between Pailton, Monks Kirby and Rugby.
The Clerk to the parish council, Mr Ray Candelent, advised that many applicants have responded to the vacancy soon to be created by his forthcoming retirement. It was resolved that a shortlist would be selected and that a special meeting would be held to interview suitable applicants.
The Chairman produced drawings of a bell shaped bollard used to prevent vehicles damaging verges. He suggested that similar bollards could be used to prevent HGVs damaging the surrounds to the war memorial. Cllr D. Swindell is to investigate the cost involved.
The next meeting of the parish council will be on 18th October at 7.30pm in St Denis Church
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15 pm.
On Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September one of the most popular events of the year will be staged at Monks Kirby when Bilton Silver Band will again provide the music for the Last Night of the Proms also featuring local soprano Liz West. Tickets can be obtained form John Collier 01788 833265
On Saturday evening 9th September a group of members of Pailton Branch of
Nuneaton Conservative Association attended a dinner and disco function at Wolston
Community Centre. The well attended event brought together members of other
branches which will be active in the new Rugby Parliamentary Constituency to
be created early next year and which will include the Fosse and Wolvey Wards
also Bulkington presently located in the Nuneaton Constituency.