Marton Village, Warwickshire
Marton Post Office is Closing after more than 160 years
Sadly, but not unexpectedly, Marton is losing its post office—a facility that was established in the village more than 160 years ago. Zena Richards, the current postmistress, is giving up running the facility after more than 26 years. Her last day will be Friday 10 June.
After much publicity was given to find another site in the village, there was nobody prepared to give over part of their house and commit to the hours and poor remuneration as Zena has. These days, to be viable, village post offices need to be part of a broader business. Fortunately the Princethorpe Service Station has taken on the responsibility and they will open their post office on Monday 13 June. Although this will mean a journey of a mile outside the village, the alternatives would even further afield now that Long Itchington Post Office has closed
There is no doubt that many villagers will miss the friendship and support that has been offered by Zena over the years. It has gone above and beyond what was required and the post office offered a daily social hub. Many will hope that Zena will enjoy the freedom that not being tied to the post office will offer. However, it should not be forgotten than she will continue to provide newspapers for her customers in the village.
Local History Group: May 2016 Update
This month the Group had its AGM at which the past year was reviewed and possible talks for next season were discussed. The notes of this meeting have been circulated to Group members. Joan Sherratt (pictured) also gave a talk about the history of Marton WI. An overview of this talk can be found at this link.
The next Group meeting is a walk around the historic points of Dunchurch, led by Mike Johnson. This is on Monday May 16th meeting at The Green Man for a prompt 6:45 pm start.
The Group will then have its summer recess and start again at the end of October.
Pig club update
Marton’s latest pig cohort seem to be doing well, growing quickly and making the most of their field in the warmer days we’re starting to enjoy. The only glitches so far have been with the human side of the club, with former members accidently called on to feed the pigs from across the globe and youngest members learning about omnivores the hard way.
In the first case a couple was called in Australia and told to feed the pigs the following day, causing temporary confusion but no harm to the pigs who didn’t notice or mind the quick-thinking rota switch-around. In the second case a valuable lesson was learnt: put food in the field before you put small children in the field. The half-asleep parents (one of whom might actually be writing this, ahem…) had to do a rapid rescue when the pigs’ eagerness for breakfast hastily went from welly sniffing to leg nibbling. No harm done, though, and once snouts were happily in troughs of food, the children and pigs got on harmoniously as usual.
There could be further opportunities for creature encounters to come, as the club might be building on its success, with the idea of raising geese for Christmas already on the table (pardon the pun). The suggestion of a home brew club is also being floated, for those with a thirst for more…
Local History Group: March 2016 Update
This month the Group packed the village hall to hear a talk by Wiz and Ann about Marton in the Victorian era. An overview of this talk can be found at this link.
The next Group meeting is the AGM on Monday April 25th at 7.30pm in the village hall. A short presentation about the history of Marton WI will follow the AGM. Do come along and share your thoughts on how this season’s programme went and help shape the programme for next season.
Easter morning at St Esprit Church
Please join our Easter celebrations at St Esprit, Marton! Meet outside the church at 9.30am on Easter Sunday morning (27th March 2016) for a ‘sunrise’ start, followed by our family communion service and a late breakfast! There will also be an Easter Egg hunt after the service.
Keeping our village church looking its best
We hope that you, like us, consider St Esprit Church to be the heart of our village and much loved by us all. For many years we have been, and continue to be, exceedingly grateful to our band of grass cutters and general maintenance folk, but the burden has become just too onerous and we have decided to supplement volunteer activity with, for example, a contract fortnightly mow / strim. The annual costs for maintenance, including mowing and floodlighting, will be approximately £1800 and we are seeking pledges from village households to help us continue to keep our village church looking its best.
A pledge of £10 a month from 15 households would cover the costs, would you be willing to consider donating regularly or as a one off? Please contact any member of the PCC for further information, or Jenny Walsh (Treasurer) for a gift aid form / church bank details
2016 Marton Pigs Arrival
The Pig Club’s new herd will arrive at 1pm this Saturday at the farm field track.
Anyone (not just Pig Club members) is more than welcome to witness their arrival, which is always fun.
If you need a lift to the field, please get in touch (admin -at- martonvillage.com) and arrangements can be made.
Hopefully see many of you there!
Marton Flood Damage March 2016
A villager just posted this video on YouTube about yesterday’s flooding in Marton.
Drivers did not realise the danger they are getting into and the damage they can cause to property by attempting to drive through the flood water
Marton Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 8 March: Agenda
MARTON PARISH COUNCIL
Ms S Turner 9 Drummond Road
Clerk to the Parish Council Cawston
Home: 01788 310113 Rugby
Email: selinaturner34@gmail.com CV22 7TN
- OPEN FORUM
- ATTENDANCE
- APOLOGIES
- MINUTES OF PREVIOUS PARISH COUNCIL
To approve the Minutes of previous Meeting held on Tuesday 12 January 2016
- DECLARATION OF INTEREST IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
- POLICE ISSUES
- Crime Report – From Rugby Borough Council
- Any other police issue
- COUNTY COUNCILLOR ISSUES
- PLANNING MATTERS
- R15/1270, Wybeech 22 Birdingbury Road, Erection of a part first floor part two storey side extension, single storey rear and front extensions and a detached garage. No Decision.
- R16/0376, Land North of Marton Road Marton Road Birdingbury Warwickshire, Proposed farm welfare unit. (Comes under Birdingbury Parish)
- VILLAGE ISSUES
- Flood Alleviation – Cllr Fry
- Update on Planned Assessment
- Feedback on £5,000 Grant
- Traffic Issues
- A423 any additional developments
- Birdingbury Road, Traffic Calming – Cllr Hitchman
- Good Neighbour Scheme – Cllr Koch
- Updates
- Parish Plan – Cllr Fry
- Report
- Dog Warden Role
- VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
- Progress on state of A423 – Cllr Hitchman
- Surface
- Drains
- Hedges
- Village Grass Cutting – Cllr Hitchman
- Salt Box, Church Street
- Playing Field Committee issues – Cllr Hitchman
- General issues
- Pavilion renovation update and grant application
- Village Notice Boards
- Village Website Issue – Cllr Fry/Koch
- Street Lighting –
- New LED lamppost – Progress – Cllr Hitchman
- Telephone Box Maintenance
- On waiting list – work due between March – October 2016
- Litter Pick
- WARWICKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS (RUGBY AREA)
- DUNCHURCH DIVISION COMMUNITY FORUM
- Next meeting, Wednesday 9 March 2016, from 7pm at Dunchurch Village Hall.
- FINANCE
- As of Bank statement dated 15th February 2016
Current Account £15,057.89
Deposit Account £0.00
Total £15,057.89
(Includes 819.00 grant money for table and chairs for the Pavilion and £3,257.11 of payments made but not cleared)
- To ratify that the following bills were paid between meetings:
| 16/01/16 | 1068 | C A Mills | £ 140.00 |
| 27/01/16 | 1069 | WCC – Street Lighting | £ 261.19 |
| 27/01/16 | 1070 | RBC – Election Costs | £ 848.30 |
| 31/01/16 | 1071 | Clerk – Jan 2016 | £ 122.54 |
| 31/01/16 | 1072 | HM Revenue and Customs (Jan 16) | £ 30.60 |
| 14/02/16 | 1073 | JBA Consulting (Flood Assessment) | £ 1,440.00 |
| 14/02/16 | 1074 | Eon – Pavillion | £ 55.88 |
| 14/02/16 | 1075 | Noticeboard – Greenbarnes | £ 1,497.49 |
| 25/02/16 | 1076 | MGS – Barrie Mitchell | £ 80.00 |
| 29/0216 | 1077 | Clerk Feb16 | £ 122.54 |
| 29/02/16 | 1078 | HM Revenue and Customs Feb16 | £ 30.60 |
To pay
Any bills that arrive between now and the meeting
- DATE OF NEXT MEETING
12 April 2016
10 May 2016