Winslow History | Parish Council 1918

Parish Council 1918

January 1918

[p.284] 1918 Jan : 9 A Meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Wednesday the 9th January 1918 at 7.30pm.
Present M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. G. Gazey, H. Stock, J. Varney, \E. A. Illing/ J. White, A. Watson & W. Wise

The Minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.

Declaration M^r. W^m. Wise signed the Declaration on acceptance of Office.

Salary of Collector of Special Rate The application of M^r. T. D. Curtis for an increase in Salary for making & collecting the Special Sanitary Rate was again considered. M^r. J. White proposed that an increase of £2 per Rate (from £6 to £8) be granted. M^r. A. Watson seconded and it was carried nem: con: M^r. Varney not voting.

Charity Trustees The appointment of Two representatives on the Parochial Charity Trustees was adjourned until the next meeting of the Council, the Clerk in the meantime to ascertain
[p.285] whether M^r. Thos. Walker would be willing to continue to serve if re-appointed.

War Distress Relief Committee The Chairman read a letter he had received from M^r. T. D. Curtis asking for instructions as to the disposal of Books & papers in his possession relating to the War Distress Relief Committee: when it was resolved to request M^r. Curtis to hand same over to the Clerk.

Mr. W. S. Neal’s death On the proposition of M^r. J. Varney seconded by M^r. Illing ~~& unanimously carried~~, a vote of condolence with M^rs. Neal and family on the death of M^r. W. S. Neal was unanimously passed, & the Clerk was directed to write conveying the same and to express the Council’s regret.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

February 1918

1918 Feb : 13th A Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Wednesday the 13th February 1918 at 7.30pm. Present M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. J. Varney, J. White, A. Watson, E. A. Illing, H. Stock and G. Gazey.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Winslow Glebe. A notice was produced and read of the Rev^d. H.L.L. Denny’s proposed application under the Glebe Land Acts for the approval of the Board of Agriculture & Fisheries to the sale of Winslow GlebeLands.

Potato Spraying A communication with literature was received from the Food Production Committee relative to Potato Spraying in 1918.

[p.286] Parish Constables M^r. White proposed that Mess^rs. John Warner and Edward Thomas Lines be nominated Parish Constables for Winslow for ensuing year. M^r. A. Watson seconded this & it was carried unanimously.

Charity Trustees On the proposition of M^r. Illing seconded by M^r. White, Mess^rs. John Varney and Thomas Walker were unanimously re-elected Trustees of the Winslow Parochial Charities as the Parish Council’s representatives.

Destruction of Birds M^r. Illing proposed and M^r. Watson seconded that a sum not exceeding £4 be expended for the purposes the destruction of Sparrows, Rooks &c. Carried unanimously.
Mess^rs. G. Gazey and A. Watson were appointed as SubCommittee to deal with this matter

Style in Dovehouse Close An application on behalf of M^r. M^cCorquodale was made for permission to alter the position of Style leading from Dovehouse Close to Little Horwood Road. On the proposal of M^r. J. Varney seconded by M^r. Illing the application was recommended as a great improvement.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

March 1918

1918 March 6th A Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Wednesday the 6th March 1918 @ 7.30pm. Present M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. J. Varney, A. Watson, J. White, H. Stock and W. Wise.

The Minutes of the last Meeting were read & confirmed.

Allotments A communication from the Food Production Department
[p.287] of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries was read, stating that the Board were informed that there was an unsatisfied demand for Allotments in the Parish & requesting the Parish Council to take the necessary steps to provide additional land for Allotments to satisfy all applicants
On the proposition of M^r. Wise seconded by M^r. Watson it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk be directed to reply stating the -population of the Parish, the acreage of land at present let as Allotments; & that the Council were not aware of any applicants for Allotments which remained unsatisfied.

Food production A communication from the Local Executive Officer relative to the increased Production of Food, was read, and the Clerk was directed to send the same to the Winslow Food Production & Allotment Society for them to deal with the matter.

Alfred J Clear [signature]
Chairman

April 1918

1918 April 9 A \The Annual/ Meeting held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Tuesday the 9th April 1918.
Present M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. J. White, A. Watson, E. A. Illing, G. Gazey, W. Wise, H. C. Stock, J. Keys Jun^r. & H. J. Ray.

The Notice calling the Meeting was read.

The Minutes of the Parish Meeting held 24th November 1915 were read and confirmed.

There being no other business the Meeting closed.

A. J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

[p.287] 1918 April 9 The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Tuesday the 9th April 1918.
Present M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. G. Gazey, E. A. Illing, H. C. Stock, A. Watson, J. White, W. Wise & J. Keys J^r.

The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed.

Appointment of Overseers M^r. Illing proposed that Mess^rs. Thomas G. Dickson, Henry Hall, Henry C. Stock and Cornelius Theobald be appointed Overseers for the ensuing year. M^r. J. White seconded this and it was unanimously carried.

[p.288] P. Council Accounts The Clerk presented the Accounts for the Parish Council for the year 31st March 1918 showing a credit balance of £12:1:10, & the same were examined & passed.

Charity Accounts The Accounts for the Winslow Parochial Charities were produced.

Pig Club Literature received from the Rural League relative to Pig Clubs was presented, & the Clerk directed to forward same to the Winslow Food Production & Allotment Society.

Cheque A cheque was drawn in favour of the Clerk for 10^s/- for Audit Stamp.

Allotments The following communication was received

Oak Lodge
Winslow, Bucks
April 8 – 18

Clerk to Parish Council
Winslow

Dear Sir,
I am writing on behalf of M^r. E. W. Green, M^r. Josiah White, M^r. Rogers, also myself to enquire if your Council can obtain for each of us say from 1 Acre to 6 Acre Plots of Arable land in your District.
Speaking for myself I am very handicapped for want of Arable land having so little pasture, and none which can with advantage be ploughed. Trusting your Council can give this matter its earnest consideration.

Yours faithfully,
Henry C. Stock

After discussion it was agreed to adjourn the
[p.289] meeting until Monday the 15th inst: at 7.30p.m. for further consideration of the matter.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

1918 April 15th The adjourned Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Monday the 15th April 1918 @ 7.30 P.M. Present A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. J. Varney, G. Gazey, E. A. Illing, H. C. Stock, A. Watson, J. White, W. Wise and W. R. Monk.

The Minutes of the Annual Meeting were read and confirmed.

Additional Allotments The application of M^r. Stock for additional Allotments was further considered. M^r. Monk fully explained the position regarding the acquisition of land for this purpose by the County Council as affected by the Defence of the Realm Regulations; when M^r. Illing proposed ‘That the Council regrets in the circumstances it is unable to entertain the application for the purchase of the land suggested, it being out of their power at the present time to make any such recommendation’. M^r. John Varney seconded this and it was unanimously carried.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

June 1918

[p.290] 1918 June 5 A Meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Wednesday the 5th June 1918 at 7.30 P.M. Present: M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. J. White, J. Varney, A. Watson, E. A. Illing, G. Gazey & H. C. Stock.

The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed.

Winslow Charities A recommendation from the Charity Commission was read notifying the proposed appointment of M^r. John Varney & Wm. Readman Monk as Trustees of the Winslow Parochial Charities.

Higher Education The Chairman reported that the Secretary of the Local Higher Education Committee desired that the Council should nominate two representatives willing to act on the Committee. It was unanimously agreed that no steps be taken in the matter.

Allotments An application signed by some 30 residents in the Parish, for allotments, & suggesting M^r. F. G. King’s field situate in Western Lane, was received, and it was agreed to adjourn the consideration of same until the 26th inst. to enable certain further information to be obtained.

Salary of Rate Collector A letter was received from the Clerk to the Winslow Union, enclosing copy of an application received from M^r. T. D. Curtis for an increase in Salary in respect of making & collecting the Poor Rate. M^r. Gazey proposed ‘That this Council reply to the Board of Guardians that having recently (January 9th 1918) recommended an increase of M^r. Curtis’ Salary for collecting the Sanitary Rate on the ground that it was insufficiently paid in comparison with the Poor Rate, do not see their way.
[291] to recommend a further increase, they being of the opinion that the rise covered the work of collecting both Rates. This was seconded by M^r. J. White & carried unanimously.

Minute Book The Clerk was authorised to obtain a new Minute Book from Miss I. M. French, on the proposition of M^r. White seconded by M^r. Stock.

A. J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

1918 June 26 A Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Winslow on Wednesday the 26th June 1918 at 7.30 P.M. Present: M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. E. A. Illing, J. Varney, J. White & A. Watson with M^r. R. E. Golledge.

The Minutes of last Meeting were read & confirmed.

Allotments Upon the question of the provision of additional Allotments for the Parish coming on for further consideration a letter from M^r. F. G. King was read stating that he was not the Owner of the field in Vicarage Road, but Trustee under the Will of his late father, & that he was forwarding to the party interested the Council’s enquiry.

Rate Collector’s Salary A further letter from the Clerk to the Winslow Union was read, stating that the question of the Rate Collector’s Salary was referred back to the Council, by the Board of Guardians, for further consideration. The Clerk was directed to reply that the Council’s Standing Orders prohibited the matter being reopened for a period of 6 months.

Charity Trustees On the proposal of M^r. Illing seconded by M^r. Watson
[p.292] M^r. Josiah White was appointed a Trustee of the Winslow Parochial Charities for a term of 4 years.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

July 1918

1918 July 17 A Meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Winslow on Wednesday the 17th July 1918 at 7.30 p.m. Present:- M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. J. Varney, G. Gazey, E. A. Illing, J. White & H. Stock.

The Minutes of last Meeting were read & confirmed.

Allotments         A letter was received from M^r. Frank E. King the Owner of the Field in Verney Road suggested for Allotments, declining to Lease it to the Council for the purpose.
                M^r. Varney proposed ‘That at the present the evidence brought before the Parish Council, is not sufficient to justify the Council applying for compulsory powers to provide further Allotments for the Parish. M^r. Gazey seconded this & it was unanimously carried.
                The Clerk was directed to forward a copy of the resolution together with a copy of M^r. King’s letter to the signatories to the requisition.

Cheque A cheque was drawn for £2 in favour of Winslow Oddfellows Hall Committee being two years rent to 24th April 1918.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

August 1918

[p.293] 1918 Aug^t 21 A Meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Winslow on Wednesday the 21st August 1918 at 7.30 p.m. Present:- M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. G. Gazey, E. A. Illing, H. C. Stock, J. Varney, W. Wise & A. Watson.

The Minutes of last meeting were read & confirmed.

Allotments A deputation from the Allotment holders desirous of obtaining the field situate in Verney Road for allotments, (consisting of Mess^rs. E. Spatcher, E. T. Lines, Broderick & A. Beckett) ~~attend~~ was received, & asked the Council in view of a letter they had received from M^r. King which stated the Council was not in favour of hiring the field for the purpose of Allotments, to reopen the matter with him. After some discussion the Clerk was directed to write to the Allotment holders that in view of the correspondence with M^r. King, the Council considered the best course would be for the applicants to get a decisive reply from M^r. King & in the event of such reply being favourable the Council would be prepared to consider the matter further.

Housing of the Working Classes A communication from the Winslow Rural District Council was read, requiring information as to the Housing of the Working Classes in the Parish, and it was resolved to reply ‘That the Council was not aware of any present unsatisfied demand for houses there being in fact some untenanted houses; & that the date for supplying particulars under heads ‘A’ and ‘B’ could be \readily/ found in the Reports of the Officers of the Rural District Council, and which were not accessible to the Parish Council.

[p.294] Cheque A cheque for £1:5:7 was drawn in favour of Miss I. M. French for Stationery supplied.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

September 1918

1918 Sept 18 A Meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Winslow on Wednesday the 18th Septr 1918 at 7.30 p.m. Present:- M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. J. Varney, E. A. Illing, H. C. Stock, A. Watson & G. Gazey.

The Minutes of last meeting were read & confirmed.

Allotments The following letter received from the applicants for Allotments, was read

Horn Street
Winslow
12th Septr: 1918

Dear Sir,
The Allotment Holders have instructed me to write to you asking for you to apply for compulsory powers as M^r. King has refused to let the field.
In the event of the Council failing to apply for same I am instructed to submit the whole of the correspondence to higher authority.

Yours truly
E. Spatcher For Allotment Holders

M^r. A. J. Clear

[p.295] After some discussion the Clerk was directed to write to the Clerk of the County Council enquiring whether in the circumstances the Council would be justified in asking for compulsory action.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

October 1918

1918 Oct 23 A Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Winslow on Wednesday the 24th October 1918 @ 7.30 p.m. Present:- M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. G. Gazey, E. A. Illing, J. White & A. Watson.

The minutes of last Meeting were read & confirmed.

Allotments The Chairman reported that he had had an interview with an Inspector of the Food Production Department (Horticultural Division) on the subject of Allotments.

The following letters were read:-

County Hall
Aylesbury
10th October 1918

Dear Sir,

Compulsory acquisition of land for Allotments

                In reply to your letter of the 8th inst. it is not within my province, nor have I any authority, to advise Parish Councils with regard to the exercise of their powers & duties.
                If any legal advice is required by a Parish Council, it is of course, open to the Council to obtain
[p.296] such advice in the ordinary way.
                All I can do in reply to your letter is to refer you to the provisions of sections 23, 25 and 39 of the Small Holdings & Allotments Act 1908.
                I do not think it would be right for me to express my opinion one way or the other over the question you raise in your letter.

Yours faithfully,
Wm. Crouch
Clerk of Bucks County Council

Clerk to the Parish Council
Winslow

56 Albert R^d., Caversham,
Reading
14th October 1918

Dear Sir,

Allotments

                With reference to my recent visit to Winslow, I interviewed M^r. Spatcher, M^r. Green (the tenant of the field applied for) & others & I am bringing the matter up at the next meeting of the Agricultural Executive Committee.
                I also had a chat M^r. Clear [sic], the Chairman of the Council.
                It is, of course not advisable to seek the sanction of the Executive Committee to enter on any land if it can be acquired by agreement with the owners, but failing this the Council should not hesitate to apply to the A.G.E. as mentioned.
                I understand that you are agent for the principal
[p.297] owner, and that he is disposed to offer land for Allotments & I shall be glad, therefore, if you will endeavour to supply the land required, by agreement with the owner of that land, or the owner of any other suitable land, in the first place. The Agricultural Executive Committee I believe, will not be likely to sanction an entry on land occupied by M^r. Green whilst there is other suitable land equally convenient. Moreover the circumstances in the case of this land, are such that it would be a hardship on M^r. Green, and the rent of £4 per acre is a high one; there is also the question of compensation & other items to consider.
                It is hoped that Winslow will be able to still further considerably increase the area and number of Allotments, in order that it may contribute its quota to the total 2,000,000 Allotments aimed at by the Food Production Department (for the whole country)
                I am to ask you to be good enough to keep me informed of the additional area and number of Allotments provided by the Council from time to time.

Yours faithfully,
Rowland Beever
Inspector, Hortic^l Dev^mt
F. P. Dept.

M^r. Ray
Clerk to the Parish Council
Winslow

It was agreed that the matter of additional Allotments be adjourned, to enable the Council to obtain certain other information.

A. J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

[p.298] 1918 Nov: 13 A Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Winslow on Wednesday the 13th Novr: 1918 at 7.30 p.m. Present:- M^r. A. J. Clear (Chairman) Mess^rs. J. Varney (Vice Chairman) Mess^rs. G. Gazey, E. A. Illing, H. C. Stock, A. Watson & W. Wise. There \following Parishoners/ were also present Mess^rs. R. E. Golledge, E.T. Lines, W. Townsend & Broderick.

The minutes of last Meeting were read & confirmed.

Allotments         M^r. Gazey (on behalf of M^r. M^cCorquodale, the owner) offered 2 acres & 3 roods of land situate in ‘Pauls Piece’ for additional allotments, & stated the land would be available from Michaelmas 1919. The Clerk was directed to communicate to M^r. E. Spatcher on behalf of the Allotment holders, the offer made, & to ask him to inform the Council of persons desirous of hiring any of the land and quantity required.

Fire Station        An application from Mess^rs. Sprake & C^o. payment of 2^s/4^d, amount of 14 years Quit rents to October 1918, claimed to be due to the Lord of the Manor of Winslow in respect of the Fire Station was received but no resolution was made.

Clerk’s Salary     A letter from M^r. T. D. Curtis (Assistant Overseer) was read stating that the Auditor had struck out of the Overseers accounts the payments of £15 made to the Clerk of the Parish Council for Salary as such Clerk to the ~~31st March~~ \29th Septr/ last, & asking the Parish Council to refund that amount to the Overseers. M^r. Stock proposed That a Precept for £15 be issued on the Overseers for the purposes of the Parish Council. This was seconded by M^r. J. Varney & unanimously [carried] & a Precept for that sum was signed accordingly.

Alfred J. Clear [signature]
Chairman

The difficulties over the allotments led to this anonymous poem, printed by A.J. Clear:

Winslow Allotments

                        There’s a four-acre ploughing in Vicarage Lane
                      Which is grossly neglected, you see
                        It has not been cultivated properly
                        And its green as green can be.

                        Sixteen men have applied for this ploughing
                        For allotments they’re sadly in need,
                        The Council have done all they can so they say,
                        But that’s very little indeed.

                        There’s not enough allotments for the poor of the town.
                        Hurrah for the men who wear a frown,
                        They’re awfully funny and look up and down,
                        When they’re asked for Allotments in Winslow town.

                        But still there’s a chance of getting them yet,
                        Although they say it never can be,
                        They are getting allotments everywhere else,
                        But we live in WinSLOW, you see.

                        They say at the Council Meeting
                        There were allotments enough and to spare,
                        We could have two acres in Paul’s Piece
                        If we kindly would wait till next year.

                        We have a Food Production Society too,
                        Without our allotments it must fall through,
                        Our Pig Club also must share the same fate,
                        Without our Allotments for Winslow.

                        Now we hope the Council will do their best,
                        Because if they don’t we shall give them no rest;
                        We must have allotments and some of the best,
                        For the working men of Winslow.

Back to Parish Council