Sibford Scene Archive

Sibford Scene 124 March 1989

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Plague of beetles hits Village Hall!

Headline in The Sun! But we here in sober, Financial Times Reading Sibford would, in more rational terms, report a rather super and friendly evening hosted by the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity for the newcomers to the villages over the last two years.

Invitations sent out by Dame Anne bore the rather confusing letters ‘R.S.V.P.’ which everyone on this side of the Channel knows stands for ‘Royal Society of Vicious Porcupines’, whereas dear Dame Anne, who did not leave school at fourteen, like the rest of us, and is already into Europe long before 1992, expected it to mean something rather different!!

It mattered not a jot for Colin Frith, who is something of a fortune teller, pressed his computer and up came the magic figure of 70. Tina Frith catered for that number and guess what? 68 sat down to a sumptious cold buffet. Potions of pink wine flowed. The Master of’ Ceremony, Timothy Wimbush, piloted the ensemble through several hands of ‘Beetle’ and confused everyone by insisting that its ‘five for a body and six for a head’ whereas everyone knows that, ever since Eric Payne was a lad, and that’s a long time ago, it’s been six for a body and five for a head!

It didn’t really matter, joy and laughter flowed unabated.

Later, the ‘glee club’, straight from the church choir stalls, led a happy throng, through a list of well known ditties.

It was just that sort of evening which makes one want to stop the installments on the TV set and return to home made country entertainment once more!

The party broke up at nine thirty by which time it was long past the bed time of many of the guests for it was a truly family affair.

“Good night Bill! Good night Lou, Good night May, Good night” and praise indeed for Colin and Tina Frith and their band of helpers.

What a pity its two years until the next ‘do’ and by that time R.S.V.P. will mean something strange in French!!

Pahh!! Who wants a Channel Tunnel?

Main points discussed at the Parish Council Meeting held on 27th January 1989

The signing of the local footpaths and bridleways has been successfully completed with one minor exception which has been raised with the District Council.

The District Council will be contacted regarding the possibility of providing bollards or some such protection to grass verges especially those adjacent to the telephone kiosk in Main Street.

The Council discussed various parking problems and wish to make a general plea for responsible parking within the village. The Council request that vehicles are not parked at dangerous junctions or on narrow lanes. A particular concern is that due to parked vehicles the Emergency Services may be prevented from attending a fire, sick person etc.

Mr  John Parmiter has been co-opted onto the Council following the death last year of Mr. L. W. Poulton.

Various details of communication systems for the elderly and details of the O.C.C. Cold Watch Scheme were discussed and details and leaflets are available from the surgery.

A leader for any guided walk of special interest had been requested by C.D.C. so anyone interested should contact the Parish Council for details.

The annual clean up litter campaign will be from 22nd to 30th April.

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on 21st April in the Primary School Hall at 7.30p.m.

Clerk of Sibford Gower Parish Council

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