Burial Ground
In August 1965 the Parish Council were advised by the Parochial Church Council that there was only room for two years more of burial, and had they any ideas? The Parish Council bounced the question back asking ‘had they any plans to extend the churchyard’. At the next meeting it was suggested that Major Chester be asked if he would be willing to sell pieces of land adjacent to the churchyard. The Major said that he would discuss this with his land agent. It later transpired, (May 1966) when the Rev. Bearman attended a meeting, that the land was not actually required. However, should it be needed, Souls Investments wanted £750 for extra land. What the PCC actually wanted was for the Parish Council to assist in the cost of running the churchyard. In September 1966 it was agreed to pay the PCC £25 p.a. towards the cost of mowing. In the 1980’s the Council purchased some more land and gifted this, together with the rights to collect burial fees, to the Church.
Celebrations
Towards the end of the Boer War, in June 1900, a Parish Meeting was called to discuss how to celebrate the coming peace.
In January 1903 the sum of £8.14.10 left over after the Coronation festivities for Edward VII was given to the Parish Council towards lighting purposes.
A Parish Meeting was called for on 25th April 1911 to discuss the celebrations for the Coronation of King George V.
Nothing was mentioned about the Coronation of King George VI, but this may have been because of the circumstances which led to his accession.
Charities
The village Charity Committee advised the Parish Council in March 1895 that Mr W Makeham had the custody of the awards of the parish. On 16th May 1899 the Clerk was instructed to make applications for the award (not awards) and give a receipt for the same.
The guardianship of the award moved from the Clerk to the Chairman in September 1914. In March 1933 however the Award could not be found by the Clerk when it was wanted, but it was eventually found to be with the rector, the Revd. Blomefield and it was agreed that it should remain in his custody.
Another charity, or rather Trust, came to light in October 1966 when without preamble the minutes said that the RDC had written about the Watts Family Trust. They had written to the Divisional Welfare Officer of British Railways suggesting that the two funds be combined and a trust established for the benefit of the Watts boys. The fund was to be wound up when they both reached 21 years of age. Three trustees were suggested; one from Wolverton Works, one from the RDC and one from the Parish Council. Mr G W Cook was nominated to the post.
Correspondence
Items in the minutes give a slight insight into the happenings of the village. Some matters are clear cut, other not so, such as a case very early on in the life of the Council shows. On 5th April 1895, at only its fourth meeting, it was recorded that Mr F Collett (later to be a Chairman of the council) had sent a letter which the Council thought to be “offensive and uncalled for” and upon which they voted to demand an apology. The meeting six days later noted that a letter sent to the Clerk and quoted at the meeting was accepted as “an ample apology”. Unfortunately there is nothing to say what all the rumpus was about.
Queen Victoria died in January 1901 after a long and gracious reign. The nation mourned and the Parish Council felt that it should write to King Edward VII a letter of condolence upon the death of his mother. On the 16th April 1901 a reply was received from the King and it was decided that it should “be framed and placed in the room where the meetings are wont to be held”. The cost of framing was 3/8d. It would be interesting to know where this letter eventually went to.
Fire Brigade
It was agreed on 17.02.1905 that the sum of £5.5.0 be paid, under the Parish Fire Engines Act, to Newport Pagnell Urban District Council for fire cover in the village for the year of 1905.
The Council, ever mindful of financial stringency wrote to Newport Pagnell UDC requesting a reduction in the annual charge owing to the disparity of charges between that for parishes further away from the fire station and itself. The reply quoted at the meeting of 15th April 1907 regretted that the UDC were unable to vary the amount contributed without it affecting the whole of the District.
The scheme was extended at the same rate until 1st January 1930 when under s276 Public Health Act 1875 Newport Pagnell Rural District Council were to provide fire cover for Sherington and 26 other parishes. The cost of this was to be levied as part of the rates and the Parish Council received a rebate cheque for £1/4/9d for the period 1st January to 31st March 1930.
‘Free fifths’
An interesting item began to appear in the minutes called ‘Free fifths’ in which the Council appeared to be allowed to give money to suitable causes. Those shown have been:
- £5 to Jack Pateman in appreciation of the conscientious way he carried out his duties as lengths man (3.2.69)
- £5 to Mrs K Clare to defray expenses of a village supper and social evening she was organising (3.2.69)
- £15 to the school for the children who had lost their savings stamps due to theft (28.1.70)
- £13.50 (the first entry in decimal currency in the minute book) to be used to add to the presentation from the village to Jack Pateman (see item above) (8.2.71)
- £25.00 to St Lauds Floodlighting Fund (3.1.72)
- £50.00 to Village Hall Committee (28.3.74)