Yes, I've been to another Parish Council meeting, and the big news was that Rosemary, our Parish Clerk, had our new grit bin... in the back of her car.
And so it was agreed that Steve, our Chair, and I would put it in its designated spot, next to the postbox in The Lane after the meeting. Luckily, it's made of plastic, so it wasn't heavy, as Steve proved by carrying it himself down the street and placing it, still wrapped in plastic, on the ground.
My job was then to remove the wrapping, and put the grit already next to the postbox in to the new grit bin, making it too heavy to steal - us country folk, we're not daft, you know. Of course, only having nine street lights meant that I was doing this effectively by moonlight, but it takes more than that to stop a Parish councillor.
So I grabbed my trusty shovel and did the deed. So now we have a grit bin, with grit in it. Best of all, our county councillor has agreed to pay for it out of his 'quality of life' budget and they'll be filling it tomorrow, we're assured.
And now I sit, in front of my computer, with a bottle of honey porter from the Vieira Brewing Company by my right hand. Yes, it's another perfect day in Paradise-sur-Gipping...
regarding the problem of making it difficult to steal: is some sort of concrete around the base, or ground screws through the bottom not a possibility? Because once people actually USE the grit it will be gone... Just thinking aloud here...
ReplyDeleteStill, kudos on your manly shovelling.
You're right, of course, except that it's hardly worth trying to steal. We're far enough away from anywhere that you'd need to make a bit of an effort. But our Parish Clerk worries, and it's easier to reassure her...
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the kindness, especially as shovelling is something I normally leave to others. Besides, we've tidied the garden store so that I can actually find a shovel. Ros is so at that sort of thing...
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ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteAh, a comedian...
Better that than a bore.
ReplyDeleteComedian,
ReplyDeleteTouche! However, perhaps you ought to bear in mind that there are plenty of people out there who have no idea what Parish councillors do.
And yes, it's not big, and it's not dramatic, but it's putting something back into the community. If you don't do it yourself, why not give it a try, instead of making cheap wisecracks?