Stratfield Mortimer's newly-elected parish council recently met at Mortimer's Methodist Church Hall.
Also in attendance was Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Geoff Mayes.
Michael Dennett was elected chairman and Dave Kilshaw vice-chairman.
Danusia Morsley was elected chairwoman of the planning committee, Chris Lewis will chair the roads, footpaths and commons committee and John Bull the fairground and cemetery committee.
Among the issues discussed was policing of the village as well as the Plastic Free Mortimer initiative, which works with local restaurants and businesses to reduce plastic waste.
(Newbury Weekly News, 6 June 2019)
Also in attendance was Burghfield and Mortimer district councillor Geoff Mayes.
Michael Dennett was elected chairman and Dave Kilshaw vice-chairman.
Danusia Morsley was elected chairwoman of the planning committee, Chris Lewis will chair the roads, footpaths and commons committee and John Bull the fairground and cemetery committee.
Among the issues discussed was policing of the village as well as the Plastic Free Mortimer initiative, which works with local restaurants and businesses to reduce plastic waste.
*
Mrs Bull heard the front door slam and called out from the living room, ‘That you, John? How did it go?’
At the first sight of his face, pale and trembling in the doorway, she knew something momentous had happened.
‘I got it, sweetheart.’ He dropped to his knees beside her armchair and gripped her hands in his. ‘They gave me the big one.’
‘Not,’ her eyes searched his, ‘not the playground and abattoir committee?’
He shook his head. ‘Bigger than that.’
Her jaw dropped. ‘They couldn’t have given you...not the petting zoo and prison committee?’
‘Ha!’ His laugh was scornful. ‘That’s small potatoes compared to this. It’s the one we’ve always dreamed of. The committee where I can finally give free rein to my creative genius.’
‘Oh John!’ Her hand flew to her mouth.
‘Yes, dear. That’s right. They’ve given me the fairground and cemetery committee.’
Tears had sprung into her eyes. ‘I’m so happy for you, darling. I know all the plans you’ve made for this.’
‘Plans that will put Stratfield Mortimer on the map!’ He had risen to his feet and was staring with lifted chin into the middle distance. ‘Coffin Waltzers! Skull Shies! But the piece de resistance, the idea that will go down in history, darling - two words.’
‘Which are?’ She was breathless with anticipation.
He spread his arms wide, as if indicating an enormous sign.
‘Ghost Train!’
At the first sight of his face, pale and trembling in the doorway, she knew something momentous had happened.
‘I got it, sweetheart.’ He dropped to his knees beside her armchair and gripped her hands in his. ‘They gave me the big one.’
‘Not,’ her eyes searched his, ‘not the playground and abattoir committee?’
He shook his head. ‘Bigger than that.’
Her jaw dropped. ‘They couldn’t have given you...not the petting zoo and prison committee?’
‘Ha!’ His laugh was scornful. ‘That’s small potatoes compared to this. It’s the one we’ve always dreamed of. The committee where I can finally give free rein to my creative genius.’
‘Oh John!’ Her hand flew to her mouth.
‘Yes, dear. That’s right. They’ve given me the fairground and cemetery committee.’
Tears had sprung into her eyes. ‘I’m so happy for you, darling. I know all the plans you’ve made for this.’
‘Plans that will put Stratfield Mortimer on the map!’ He had risen to his feet and was staring with lifted chin into the middle distance. ‘Coffin Waltzers! Skull Shies! But the piece de resistance, the idea that will go down in history, darling - two words.’
‘Which are?’ She was breathless with anticipation.
He spread his arms wide, as if indicating an enormous sign.
‘Ghost Train!’
