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Sunday 26 March 2017

History of The Peeping Tom


A local resident has recently come into the possession of a set of framed photos of images of The Peeping Tom.

The framed photos had formerly been hung on the walls inside The Peeping Tom, and were removed during the refurbishment in 2016.

Larger images of most of the individual photos and their descriptions are shown below...


History

The Peeping Tom is an important part of the heritage of Burton Green. The Peeping Tom acquired that name in the 1860s. But a building has existed on that site since the early 17th Century, and possibly earlier. The earliest known reference to the property is in 1607 when the property was sold for £160. The property changed hands several times, and in 1802 came into possession of the Arnold Family who also gave their name to Arnold's Farm.

From the 1841 census we can see that, at that time, the property was a smallholding. The property remained a smallholding up to and including the 1861 census. But by 1871 the property had become The Peeping Tom Beerhouse. So the property became a beerhouse sometime between 1861 and 1871.

There have been claims that The Peeping Tom was originally opened to provide refreshments for workers constructing the Kenilworth to Berkswell railway. However, according to the Greenway Trust website, that railway was not built until 1882-1884, so the Peeping Tom Beerhouse predates the railway by at least a decade.





The Peeping Tom in 1910.

The pub sign on the tree, which may be difficult to read, says 'Peeping Tom by E Cox'.



The caption on this photo stated 'Early 1900s', though the photo must be later than 1910, as this is clearly a different building to the 1910 photo (just above). This is probably 1920s.


In the late 1930s.

The 1939 census tells us that the landlord was then Herbert Cowley.

This photo shows his daughter Amy, and wife Grace, standing outside, with Bert Cowley at the window.


Also in the late 1930s.

Bert Cowley is 2nd from the right in this photo.

When Bert Cowley retired, the pub was managed by Amy Cowley and her husband, Charles Aston.








Early 1940s, the Crown Green Bowling Team.






In 1972, after the construction of a brand new building.

This photo was provided by Rick Jowett.
From left to right: John Pinkerton, Vi Cooper (cook), 
John Hanley, Bob Cooper, Joe Naylor (Barman), Colin Parkyn





Staff and customers in the late 1970s.


An aerial view in 2005...


About Peeping Tom

Guinever Maying - by John Collier
Peeping Tom is a character in the story of Lady Godiva. The ride was formerly part of a pagan ritual, possibly a May Day procession, where Tom was the consort of the pagan goddess. When Coventry was Christianised, the story was revised, to its present form. The following quote comes from British History Online Lady Godiva:

"Elements in the Godiva legend and other traditions relating to Coventry provide clues as to the nature of the original cult although any reconstruction must, in the absence of positive proof, remain conjectural. The naked woman with long hair, riding in a springtime procession, is the one constant factor in all variations of the legend and represents a goddess of fertility.  The tabu element of the Peeping Tom story may be a genuine part of the original myth, recalling similar penalties for those who intruded on the forbidden rites of other fertility goddesses. Like the intruder in other tabu stories, however, Peeping Tom may have played a more positive part in the ritual, as the priest-king, the consort of the goddess who was sacrificed to ensure the fertility of the crops and herds, and well-being of the community."



Saturday 25 March 2017

Horse Race Night 1st April 2017

Saturday 1st April 2017
at 7.30pm
Come and have a fun night out at the races
at Burton Green Village Hall

HORSE RACE NIGHT

(not film) ride your own horse!
simple tote

First race 7.45

Tickets £7.50 includes light supper and nibbles
BYO Drink and glasses


Enquiries and tickets from Jill 02476462070 email davidline@onetel.com
Or any other village hall committee member

Friday 17 March 2017

Bugle - March 2017

The March 2017 edition of the Bugle has been published.

Just below are thumbnails of the page images. To enlarge any page image, click on the thumbnail below. Once you have the individual page, you may also need to click on the magnifying glass in your browser, where you can view the page at its original size...










The text of the Chair's Report has also been added to the Residents' Association page,

The archive of back issues of the Bugle is here: Bugle Archive.

Monday 13 March 2017

Coventry Local Plan Consultation

This concerns the proposed housing development within the Coventry City boundary at the Northern end of Cromwell Lane. There will be a drop in session held at the Xcel Leisure Centre Youth Room, Mitchell Avenue (off Charter Avenue), on Friday 24 March, 4pm – 7.30pm.


Thursday 9 March 2017

Minutes of Residents' Association Committee Meeting March 7th 2017

Present

Dianne Adams, Trish Hancock, Judi Hibberd; Janet Hickinbottom; Bron Putnam; Diane Swindells, Faith Ward and Mary Webb.

In attendance: Cllr Caryll Green

1. Apologies

Apologies had been received from Rona Taylor and Hilary Cox


Summary of actions following the meetingResponsible
Approach PC for full costs of Bugle printingRona
Invite community beat officer to meet with BGRA and PC representatives to discuss parking problemsRona
Ideas for commemoration of Armistice DayAll
Find out availability of Salvation Army Band for above commemorationJudi
Copies of dementia leaflet and article for next BugleCllr Green
Invite a speaker about dementia to the Residents’ lunchMary
Consider joining PC in the futureAll
Cllr Whitehouse leaving event invitationsJudi and Janet
Begin collecting subscriptions and selling bin stickersAll
Donation to choirDianne
£200 loan to Jubilee CommitteeDianne
Query replacement road sign Cromwell LaneRona
Publication of village loop informationMary
Broadwells Wood hedge reinstatement queryCllr Green


Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising

The minutes of the previous meeting of January 17th 2017 were approved.

Matters Arising from the previous minutes

Approach PC for full costs of Bugle printing: Rona had not yet pursued this but would do so.
Action: Rona

Bank statement to be passed to Dianne: completed

Water problem and repairing damage in Red Lane: there had been an interesting presentation from Severn Trent.

Community compensation: £500 had been received from Severn Trent and £200 from Western Power. It did not appear that individuals were eligible for compensation.

School to be added to Village email loop: completed


2. Treasurer's Report

A report had been circulated. Dianne went through the report explaining that income had been received from Western Power and Severn Trent and for the speed gun calibration. So far £40 had been paid in for bin stickers purchased.

The only expenditure related to thank you gifts for those involved in the erection and maintenance of the Christmas tree and for the printing of the Bugle.

Thanks were given to Dianne.


3. Residents' views/concerns

Parking on pavements: Some damage had been caused to a car which had parked on the pavement during a children’s party at the Village Hall. Comments had then been made on Facebook. The Village Hall committee had responded to this and had put up signs asking visitors not to park on the pavements in the vicinity.

Rona had agreed to invite the new community beat officer to meet with the Parish Council and BGRA.
Action: Rona

The September 2016 Bugle had requested people not to park on the pavements.
Hickory’s Smokehouse had extended its car park and had asked people to use this rather than blocking pavements.

It was felt there was little more to do except remain vigilant.


4. Update on and discussion of Residents' Association initiatives and issues
  • Lunch for retired of Burton Green, March 31st. Diane and Mary were organizing this at a price of £7:50 per head.
  • Rona had circulated the following:
MEETING WITH KENNY, DUNCAN AND SINEAD FROM CREST NICHOLSON 
Crest Nicholson who hope to build 425 houses (with up to 40% affordable) on Westwood Heath Rd contacted the Residents’ Association to explain their plans. Mary and I met them on Feb 15th and pointed out that, whilst we were happy to listen to what they had to say, the RA’s position on housing is neutral and we leave housing decisions to the PC.  
Crest Nicholson say they are keen to engage with the community of BG and have a provisional arrangement for an exhibition at the VH April 5th &6th following the inspector’s report which is due in March. They hope to submit plans in May, secure this permission by May 2018 and begin building within 9-18 months. Phase 1 would be 120-125 houses in the north end of the allocated land.  
Crest Nicholson say they take pride in place making, community building and quality. They have a mature strategic site In Daventry which we could visit and are currently building in Balsall Common where we could visit a show home. 
We talked about the Community Infrastructure Levy from which BG could benefit; this is £80 - £110 per square metre and Crest Nicholson expressed an interest in supporting the School and the VH. They are committed to building a shop on the site and want to provide a physical connection with Cromwell Lane through a current right of way.
Mary and Rona had visited the site in Balsall Common. A brochure was circulated showing a variety of housing types. The Community Levy might amount to between £1.5m to £4.5m but this would be paid to the Council who would be responsible for its use. Cllr Green said Burton Green should receive a proportion. It was expected that the building of 425 houses would begin in March 2018.
  • Commemoration of Armistice Day Sunday November 11th 1918: ideas were sought for this occasion. A beacon was suggested, a band (Judi would ask the Village Choirmaster about the Salvation Army) or a march.  Committee members were asked to come to the next meeting with further ideas. Action Judi and All
  • Community clean up: this would take place on Sunday March 19th.


5. Village Hall
  • The issue of parking had already been discussed.
  • HS2 and new Village Hall: No formal agreement had yet been received from HS2. Carter Jonas had drawn up a valuation and recommended acceptance by HS2 but HS2 have to go to governance. HS2 was still pushing for the Village Hall committee to go for planning permission. The new hall plans reflected the need to be generous which is what the Select Committee had advocated.
  • There was to be a community funding meeting on March 21st at which BGRA, Parish Council and Village Hall representatives would convene to discuss such matters as the landscaping of the rest of the field.
  • Pershore College students had done an assignment about the landscaping of the site and their ideas would be considered, though the costs were likely to be prohibitive.
  • The Village Hall committee would need to talk to the neighbours of the new site once plans had been finalised. The new hall needed to be completed by 2018. 
  • In response to a question, Diane said solar panels were planned but not solar tiles. Many green measures were being incorporated.
  • Very difficult conversations had been held regarding the mains sewer.
Thanks were given to Diane and it was agreed the situation was very frustrating.


6. HS2 Opposition Group

No one was available to comment.

7. Parish Councillor's Report
  • Cllr Green said the Parish Council (PC) was looking at a Village and Neighbourhood Design Statement which would involve extensive consultation. A  Steering Group was to be created with representatives from the whole village. Details had been published in the current edition of the Bugle.
  • Cala Homes planned to submit detailed planning permission for the Burrows Hill site in late spring with a view to start building in 2018 and they had requested a meeting with the PC. It was hoped to include BGRA.
  • There was a house in Cromwell Lane which appeared to be in the process of total demolition. Permission had been given for an addition at the rear. Planning department enforcement would only get involved once the demolition was down to ground level.
  • The PC Chair was very busy fighting against probable major developments including the 240 proposed houses adjoining the station, the Crest Nicholson site already discussed plus the Burrows Hill site. These developments would have a major impact on the traffic in the village. The various inspectors' reports were now awaited.
  • Cllr Green asked who might be interested in joining PC in the future and asked committee members and others to consider this. Action: All 
  • Cllrs Taylor and Green went to a meeting on living with dementia and caring for people with dementia. Dementia Friends were sought. Leaflets were available and Cllr Green would obtain more copies for distribution and write something for the Bugle. Action: Cllr Green
  • Mary had added information to the Bugle about the dementia café held at the Kenilworth Centre. Could someone speak at the Residents' lunch? Action: Mary 
  • The committee had been sorry to learn that Cllr John Whitehouse had decided not to stand for re-election in May. He had been a very good friend indeed to Burton Green.  It was agreed to purchase a gift for him and to invite him to receive it at the start of the next committee meeting (7pm May 9th) when refreshments would be available and representatives from the school and the Village Hall committee would be asked to attend. Action: Judi and Janet

8.  Any Other Business
  • Rona had received a letter from a former Burton Green resident who had been born at Westwood Farm in 1942.
  •  Residents’ subscriptions were to be collected from now onwards and the bin stickers offered for sale. Action: All
  • It was agreed that of the £700 “compensation” received from Western Power and Severn Trent, some would be used to buy the gift for John Whitehouse and £50 would be donated to the Village choir. The remainder would be held for future plans such as the village plan. Action: Dianne
  • Mary explained that additional insurance had to be taken out to cover the next Jubilee Committee event on June 10th to be held at Long Meadow Farm. This was necessitated because of the presence of a pond. Mary asked if the committee could have a loan of £200 for the insurance and this would be paid back from the entry cost. This was agreed. Action: Dianne
  • Committee members were reminded of the choir concert (with Pimms and puddings) on Friday May 19th.
  • Cllr Green pointed out that the Cromwell Lane sign opposite Hodgetts Lane needed replacing and asked if Rona could approach her council contacts. Action Rona
  • It was requested that every edition of the Bugle contained information about how to get onto the village email loop. It was suggested this information also be provided for the PC website and a request made to John Webb to add it to his website. Action: Mary
  • A question was asked about the hedge reinstatement at Broadwells Wood as it had been part of the planning permission. Cllr Green would raise this at the next PC meeting. Action: Cllr Green
  • Was there any progress with the warden’s shelter in Red Lane? The PC had been asked but no decision had been reached yet. What would the cost be to prune the ivy and make good the brickwork?
  • A comment was made on the lovely fencing round the playground in Red Lane.
  • When a query was raised about a pothole outside school, information was provided that Solihull MBC had put cones around it and the PC had agreed to pursue the matter.

9. Date, time and venue of Next Meeting

The next meeting would take place on Tuesday May 9th 2017.

Tuesday 7 March 2017

HS2 Home Owner Payment Scheme Clarification

A resident has asked HS2 to clarify the Homeowner Payment Scheme. A leaflet about this scheme was sent out to affected residents after the Bill's Ascent. This is HS2's response:
"To be eligible for Homeowner Payment Scheme launched for the Phase 1 part of the route last month, your property would need to be within the homeowner payment zone.  
However, please note if your property is within both RSZ and HOP zone it is not possible to claim the cash offer and a homeowner payment. We will only make one payment under these discretionary property schemes.

I can confirm that if the line were to move after a resident received a homeowner payment, they would not be required to pay back the money. 
 
The only time we might want this money back is if a resident subsequently applied to the Need to Sell scheme and were successful, in which case we would recoup the homeowner payment by deducting the value from the Need to Sell offer price.

Further information on the Homeowner Payment Scheme can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/claim-compensation-if-affected-by-hs2/homeowner-payment-scheme, or if you have further queries you can contact our Helpdesk on 020 7944 4908 or by email at HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk. "

The map below shows payment zones for the Western part of Burton Green (Cromwell Lane) and Berkswell. You can enlarge the map by clicking the image, and you can then zoom in further using your browser. This map will enlarge to 83cm wide, so you can see the complete detail:



And this is a similar map which covers the Eastern part of Burton Green (Red Lane):


For your convenience, details from those maps showing Cromwell Lane and Red Lane are shown below (you can enlarge the Cromwell Lane map to full screen size by clicking on it, and then zoom in further using your browser to see closer detail):



Affected properties in Red Lane are shown here:




Legend to Maps


An extended 25-page version of the HS2 leaflet, complete with an application form, is here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2dsUUIxiPxDcTNPNk1WcE5iV1E/view?usp=sharing

For your interest, these are the pages of the 4-page application form. You can click each page to enlarge:


Friday 3 March 2017

Department of Transport Incompetence

Residents may have recently received some propaganda from HS2 Ltd about the plans for a proposed railway line.

There are some more realistic reports in the media today (3rd March) about gross incompetence and bungling by the Department of Transport and Network Rail which are evident in the current attempt to upgrade the Great Western Railway.



Full report:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4277098/MPs-blast-unacceptable-handling-Rail-upgrade.html

And:
http://www.cityam.com/259892/hs2-delays-controversial-contract-award-ch2m-meets-mace