The May meeting of Finchampstead Parish Council is, in fact, its Annual General Meeting, so, in addition to welcoming two new Councillors, Steve Bromley and Ian Gordon, the Council elected Roland Cundy and Geoff Markham to serve as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively. Chairs of sub-committees are unchanged, except for Roads, which now has Kevin Mayne as Chairman.

Louise Morris, Youth Leader, then addressed the Council and outlined plans for youth activities throughout the summer.  Councillors thanked her for her work and noted her unfailing cheerfulness and enthusiasm!

Councillor Simon Weekes reported that the Baptist Church Community Centre has now been given official approval.  Work will start in September and should take ten months to complete.  Getting to this stage has been a long and arduous process for all concerned, but there is now a definite light at the end of the tunnel.

Cllr. Lauraine Newcombe reported that the appeal to erect apartments and two small houses next to the California Hall had been dismissed.  This was welcome news as Councillors had felt that such a development was inappropriate so close to California crossroads.

The road safety improvements at the crossroads have been generally welcomed, and our flower baskets will soon be in place.  They will be watered by Roger Long, the Litter Warden, using a bowser which Cresswell’s Garage have kindly agreed to store and fill.   Roger has reported an increase in the amount of litter.  He collected 47 bags last month.  The Clerk is to write to schools to ask them to make children more aware of this problem.

The Parish Council was saddened to hear of the deaths of Harry Long, past Chairman, and Mollie Harle who, for many years was Clerk to the Council.  It was thought that memorials, maybe in the form of trees, would be a fitting way to remember them, and Finchampstead Park Management Committee will be approached.

We now have 40 applications for allotments!  CEMEX, the gravel extraction company, has agreed to donate land once extraction to the east of Longwater Road is completed.  Their representative will attend the next Amenities Meeting.  This land will not be available for some time, so, if other sites were to become available, the Council would be very interested.

The Parish Council has received a request from the family of a resident, killed on active service in Afghanistan, that his name be added to those on our War Memorial.  After some research with Berkshire Records Office and the War Graves Commission, it would appear that, as custodians of the War Memorial, the Council can allow names to be added.  However, this must be publicised so that families of others killed in action since WW ll can request that their names be added to those on the memorial.

Cllr Chris Driver

The date this page was last altered was May 26, 2008.

Copyright © 2003 Finchampstead Parish Council