A warm welcome to Chris Brooks and Carla Regler, the new licensees.

Chirton came second in this year's District level competition which is an improvement on last year when we were third. The judges were obviously fairly strict in their marking because the winner, All Cannings only got 59/100 and Chirton got 55/100. So there is certainly room for improvement! In their report they commented on the attractive residential gardens with the banks and verges well mown, also that the pub was tidy and well presented and on the tidiness of the old school site. The village had ‘the feel of a traditional village centred on the church and school has been maintained despite the ailing village hall'. The Parish Council wish to thank everyone for their part in achieving this creditable result.

Regrettably new cases have been reported of owners not cleaning up after their pets both in Chirton and Conock. It may not be well known that it is as much an offence not to clean up after one's pets on a footpath as it is on the road and the verges within the village. If anyone is short of the necessary bags the Clerk has some and they are also available from Kennet District Council.

Most of you will be aware of the problems caused by household waste filling up landfill sites at an alarming rate. Urchfont Parish and Kennet District Council ran a six month pilot scheme to demonstrate that it was possible and practical for local residents to reduce their household waste to no more than one black sack per week (and in due course even less) through recycling and re-use of materials. Overall the scheme reduced waste put out for collection by some 35%. In terms of individual households, this represents a reduction from 3.12kg/head to 2.02kg/head overall. The new wheelie bin system is aimed at encouraging us to put less into landfill, and we feel sure that Chirton can match any savings made in Urchfont! If anyone has difficulty in reducing their waste please contact Kennet District Council on 01380 73466.

Annual Voter Registration Campaign

Kennet District Council are looking for 20-25 casual staff to assist with compiling the register of electors during a four week period in October and November. The work is paid. If anyone is interested they should contact either Jim Waite 01380 734619 or Jonathan Gale (01380 734615)

You will have received a questionnaire with your printed copy of this newsletter. It is aimed at establishing how many people in the village, or their dependants who would like to move back into the village, are looking for affordable housing and have yet to get their names onto the Register. [i]Your council strongly supports its aim and urges you all to complete the questionnaire and return it as soon as possible.