PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

The Parish Councillors are.

Andrew Gell-chairman, Ruth Clark- vice-chairman, John Clelland, Sheila Copping, Ian Harding, Ann Hughes, David Song and William Wallis.  

Parish Clerk is Mr Chris Giles

Full details, including contact numbers and responsibilities, will appear on parish noticeboards.  

Parish Council News

Of the Parish Council are to be held in the main hall of the Lower School at 7.30pm.

 HEDGES, TREES & SHRUBS - A 'Thank you' to those who have already trimmed their hedges. We will shortly be in touch with those residents where attention is still required to encroaching vegetation, especially where this is causing a narrowing of the pavement.

ROAD SURFACING - Following the recent surfacing work in 'Bowers Lane', 'Dodds Close', 'Gold Street' and 'Church Lane', we received complaints about the quality of the workmanship and finish. The work carried out is called 'Thin Paving' and is an alternative to the use of tar & chippings, and has a life of 5-7 years when properly applied. The complaints were passed on to Bedfordshire Highways and remedial work is promised.

NEW NOTICE BOARDS - New Parish notice boards, to replace the very shabby and broken existing boards, are on order. The production waiting list is three months and we are therefore looking at an October installation date.

BROOK BANK - PLAYING FIELD - The brook bank adjacent the 'Fox and Hounds', is becoming overgrown and the weeping willow has become very large. Work is planned for the Autumn/Winter to tidy this area and reduce the size of the willow.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - Rosemary McCabe, the letting manager for B.P.H.A. addressed the June meeting of the Parish Council. The planning completion dates for the new housing is 11th August for Kings Close, and 29th October for Paulson's Close and Keysoe Road.

 The allocation procedure for the rented and shared ownership; properties is expected to start in August and B.P.H.A. will be holding a meeting in the village to enable interested parties to drop in and talk to the B.P.H.A. staff. The venue and date is yet to be decided. The allocation procedure will begin with the drawing up of a list of all those who have registered with B.P.H.A. for the houses, who have a Riseley connection.

 If you are interested in being considered but have not yet completed the B.P.H.A. housing registration form, you should do so as soon as possible. Please contact B.P.H.A. for further information.

Bourne's Gift and Cakebread close Charities

 The annual distribution of the £3.01 to Widows and £3.00 to Widowers of the Parish is a result of the combining of two village charities.

 'Bourne's Gift' was created in the 18th Century by a gift of £10, the interest on which was to be distributed annually to widows of the Parish.

 The 'Cakebread Close' charity dated from the enclosures act of 1793. The field next to the church was given to the vicar of the Parish with the proviso that two bushells of wheat be made into bread and distributed to every household in the Parish on St Thomas day.

 The income from both charities is now so small that it is combined and distributed to Widows and Widowers in the Parish. The extra 1p or 'Widows Mite' being paid to Widows to recognise the wishes of the 'Bourne's Gift'.

Report by Andrew Gell, chairman