Parish Councillors

Wilfred J Weld – Chairman

George H Stranks – Vice Chairman

Henry Wadland – Parish Councillor

John Abbotts – Parish Councillor

Harry Keyte – Parish Councillor

Bills examined and ordered to be paid include:

John Checkley – carting and stone from Edgehill 7/-

R Spike – painting Reading Room £1 8/-

E Mullis – cutting down ivy and clearing up after wake at Reading Room 8/- 6d.

Avon Dassett Parish Council Minutes, 1914

Mr W. J. Weld presided at the meeting on Thursday, and there were also present: Mr Ridley Brown, Mr A. Spencer, Mr A. Fairfax (clerk), Mr George Elkington (surveyor), and Mr J. Smith (inspector).

The Late Lieutenant Holbech – Letters of Sympathy

Before proceeding with the business, the Chairman moved that a vote of sympathy be passed to Mrs Holbech of Farnborough, the mother of Lieutenant Holbech on his death in the service of his country, and also with Mr Ronald Holbech, his brother, who was formerly a member of the Council. he was sure they all sympathised with the family in the great sorrow which had befallen them, and he moved that letters of sympathy be sent to Mrs Holbech and also Mr R. Holbech.

The Chairman moved the adoption of the report, and said they were starting with ten boys.

The Clerk read a letter from Mr William Bliss, chairman of the Cottage Homes Committee at Wallingford, saying how pleased he was the Banbury Guardians were  adopting the system of a children’s cottage home, a system which was most desirable for the training of pauper children if they got the right officials at the home. At Wallingford, the children looked upon the superintendent as a father. Although the initial expenses might look heavy, it was really a good investment for the union as none of the children were likely to come on the rates when they had grown up. The children from their home were all in creditable positions and earning their own living. He hoped the Banbury board would be as successful as they had been (hear, hear).

The Chairman explained, in answer to Mr Butler, that they accepted the tender for bread at sixpence sent in by a Banbury baker on the ground that the North Newington baker went into Horley every day and they would have the advantage of getting the bread fresh.

The Local Government Board and the Relief of Widows and Children

A circular letter from the Local Government Board was read on this object, which was postponed from the last meeting. It had reference to the position brought about by the war.

Mrs Gillett said she thought the circular was a step in the right direction. It pointed out that they should feel, as Guardians, the responsibility with regard to every child they gave relief to, whether in out-relief or in homes and institutions. It would be well to ask their relieving officers to get out a list of all the children who were being relieved and they, as Guardians, ought to go and see them in order to find out if any were not being properly taken care of. She proposed accordingly.

Miss Colegrove said that she had thought over this matter for some time. They had already visited the children and tried to help them, but she felt, more and more, there was more work to be done in that direction. A great deal more could be done by careful supervision, and there was more than one or two could manage.

Mr Chard said that with the officers they had they would be able to treat all the cases on their merits.

Mr Preston seconded Mris Gillett’s proposition.

Mr Hollier said he thought the lady visitors and the relieving officers could do all that was necessary.

Mr Butler said they wanted the Guardians themselves to take a keener interest in this work. They were the people to give sympathy, advice and help. They could do it better than the officials. Officials were a nuisance and the more they had, the more trouble they would have – (laughter).

Glass Eye for a Pauper

An application was received in respect of a woman at Hook Norton who had broken her glass eye and wanted a new one.

A discussion was proceeding on the subject and Mr Bloomfield said he noticed in one Union that the Guardians had agreed to buy a woman a false nose in order that she might be more presentable when asking for employment – (laughter).

The Local Relief Committee

Mr C. Bradford, the honorary secretary of the local committee in connection with the Prince of Wales’ Fund, asked for the Board Room for hilding the meetings, and this was readily granted.

This was all the public business.

Lord Methuen’s Strong Views

In reply to a telegram from Mr F. N. Charrington, asking his lordship to join in a protest against the continuance during war of football, Field-Marshall Lord Methuen answered as follows:

It is to my mind, deplorable, that men in England, if fit to take part in this war, should rest content to stay at home, refuse to give their services to their country, and play football. They are just one degree better than those who do nothing. METHUEN

The local Ancient Order of Britons have a very prosperous club which meets weekly at the Angel Inn for social and philanthropic purposes, and from time to time benefit concerts have been given there for members who have fallen on evil days, and the philanthropic aspirations of the club were further evinced on Friday night by the holding of a smoking concert in aid of the new Mayor’s fund for the relief of the Belgian refugees who are coming to Banbury as the guests of the borough. There was a generous response to the appeal, tickets being liberally purchased, and the whole arrangements were of a successful character. The retiring Mayor (Mr A. J. Larkin-Smith) presided and was supported by the Mayor-elect (Mr W. J. Harding), Mr W. J. Bloxham, Mr J. J. Chard, Mr E. S. Holland, Mr F. J. Wilks, Mr W. I. Hirons, Mr F. F. Broodbank, Mr W. W. Trolley, Mr H. J. Webb, jun., Mr W. J. Chard, and others. Mr and Mrs Friswell catered in an efficient manner, and it was a happy gathering, the large club room being crowded in every part. mr Chidzey, jun., presided at the piano, and an excellent programme was provided by the following: Mr H. White, Baker, C. White, E. S. Holland, W. J. Chard, F. F. Broodbank, C. Pratt, C. Olds, F. Riley, J. Arms, Robinson, T. H. Davies and G. Barrett. The entertainment was kept in full swing till eleven o’clock, and prior to separating, the Mayor was heartily thanked for taking the chair by Mr E. S. Holland who expressed the thanks of the company to the Mayor for presiding, and to say how pleased they all were to see him in the chair and to think that his last public duty had been to take the chair at a gathering organised on behalf of a worthy object of philanthropy. The Mayor thanked the company for their kind reception, and said he should always have kindly feelings towards the town he was about to leave, and it was gratifying to him to have been able to preside over a gathering which had been organised to do something for a people who had fought so nobly in the present war, and who had sacrificed so much. Messrs Chapman Brothers kindly lent flags for the decoration of the room.

On November 9th at the Victoria Arms, Fenny Compton. To Mr and Mrs G. K. Hancox, a daughter.

All persons having any claims or demands against the estate of William Hugh Holbech, Esquire, late of Farnborough Hall, near Banbury, deceased, are requested to send full particulars thereof in writing to

Messrs H. & C. Collins

of 172, Friars Street, Reading, Berks

Solicitors for the Executors.