PARISH COUNCIL: At the beginning of the June meeting of the Parish Council, Chairman, Coun David Close paid tribute to Mr D Grantham who died on May 29. 'Don' to his friends, served the village in many capacities. He took a keen interest in all aviation matters and with his friend D Willis he founded and was the first chairman of the Wellesbourne Aviation Group. He also took a keen interest in the Culcan Bomber and the Aviation Museum at Wellesbourne airfield and not surprisingly manned the airfield fire tender and occasionally the airfield control tower. With his wife Winnie he established and ran the first airfield Caf and Coffee bar. Over the years he organised many sponsored walks and other events to raise funds for local charities including Macmillan Nurses and the silver jubilee celebrations in 1978. More recently he secured a grant of £8,000 for the Parish Council to provide a new climbing frame and safety surface on the Mountford sports field. During the Easter flood emergency in 1998 he played a leading role organising immediate relief and the ongoing programme of improvements to the brook at the North end of the village. Only recently he retired from the South Warwickshire Housing Association on which he served for several years as the Tenants' representative.

POLICE MATTERS: Councillors were concerned that according to last year's published statistics, local crime figures are supposed to be falling, reported crimes for this May are again higher than previous months' figures? The police say that this is mainly due to the changed criteria for recording certain offences. A more accurate picture will be obtained in the next twelve-month Parking problems. The parking of vehicles on footpaths and on double yellow lines has been dealt with as and when seen. However, due to current manning levels it is not possible to give a high priority to this problem at present.

FLOOD PREVENTION: Representatives from district and parish council met at the Newbold Road brook to inspect the state of the brook and ditch and discuss future flood problems. There is to be a full investigation of the watercourse between Stable Hill and Charlecote Park. Repairing owners of both the brook and the ditch will be informed to keep the watercourse clear.

CORRECTIONS: From last week's issue: The police front office will now open from 9am - 5pm each Thursday (closed one hour for lunch).