CHIRTON VILLAGE NOTICEBOARD


New! The Chirton Village Voice Noticeboard. Take a look now.

Use it for anything you'd like to bring to the attention the village — something you want to buy or sell, something you're happy to give away, help finding a missing pet ... Take a look now by clicking HERE. There's also a new Noticeboard menu item on the left.

REMEMBERING FRED

An entire era in Chirton's history seemed to come to an end with the passing of Fred Stone, who died on 25 September. He had been ill for some time.

Fred was born in Patney but lived for most of his life in Chirton. In 1946, after school, he joined W E Chivers as an apprentice Quantity Surveyor. He spent most of his working life there, taking a break only to do his National Service in Hong Kong. He gained his FRICS and soon afterwards specialised in estimating and, as Chief Estimator, worked at Aldermarston, Harwell, Arborfield, Larkhill and Warminster. He retired in 1995.

He was a bell-ringer at Chirton for 58 years. His contemporaries when he started were Herbert Giddings (who taught him), Bill Cannings (John's father), and Bert Smith. Much later he was instrumental, together with John Cannings, in restarting ringing in Chirton in time for the Millennium. He was ringing right through until last year, when ill-health forced him, much against his will, to stop.

But it is probably that well-stocked mind that made him so revered in the community. His knowledge of Chirton, its people, places and events, was utterly encyclopaedic. And as if this were not enough, Fred served as Secretary to Chirton Parochial Church Council for 45 years.

To say that we'll miss him is an understatement. His contribution to the life of the village was immense — and unique.

CALLING ALL DOG OWNERS!

From the Parish Clerk:

If you are not a dog owner, please forgive me. At least you will know that your Parish Council is trying to do something about the antisocial practice of not clearing up after a dog which has fouled a footpath or other public right of way!

Despite the numerous notices and warnings urging owners to clear up after their dogs there are still far too many occasions when the mess has been left where someone might tread in it. This is not only antisocial but against the law. Recently there has been a case of a dog being allowed to foul right in front of the notice board in Conock. Also one person got half way to clearing up after their dog by collecting the mess in a plastic Supermarket bag only to deposit the bag behind a tree by the entrance into Costers Wood! Finally the lovely grass verge in The Street is not immune to dog fouling either. Kennet District Council supply small green bags, FREE, and I also have a small supply.

Those dog owners who do clear up after their pets are being let down by those who do not and they DO NOT LIKE IT! This is a community thing and I would ask that everybody does their best to spread this message to those without access to the web. A notice will also be put on the notice boards.

Jonathan Oliphant (Contact Details)

WANTED!
PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHIRTON

Do you have pictures of Chirton you'd like to share? We want to start a photo gallery of village views ancient and modern. If you have digital pictures which you would like to contribute, email them to Stewart Neale. If you have old pictures, in paper form, email Stewart and he will arrange to scan them — and return them to you. Information about location and dates would add to the interest.

Page last updated : 4 November 2008