The Kirby Muxloe village website

Putting Kirby Muxloe into google I came across an entry about our castle on “Anglotopia.net” a large site that devotes itself to all things loved about Great Britain.

The entry was by Phil Hackett, the Chief Executive of Shakespear Country, the official Tourist Board for Stratford-Upon Avon, Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa, Kenilworth & the Cotswolds. Take a look at the site, he talks of a drive out which brought him to visit our Castle.  He mentions it being one of the last of its type, a quadrangular castle that is built of brick.  He says it is such a wonderful place but the thing that makes it so interestin is that it’s not a ruin.

Here is a petty one, is it or isn’t it a ruin? Phil Hackett says not because it was never finished, I say it is because it falls into dictionary definitions but English Heritage say remains, this also is a synonym of ruin. What say you?

Is there nothing more interesting I hear you say, this is Kirby so you tell me.

A recent comment that was potentially misplaced in Kirby Characters reads, “Barries the shop on Barry Drive has closed down. However me and my associate are after the Lease and change of use proposal for Kirby Fisheries opening mid 2010″. This  struck me as somewhat odd, given that earlier in 2009 a communication was received asking to place an advertisement on the site in jobs and vacancies for, “staff wanted for a new chip shop” coincidentally named Kirby Fisheries, but it was not actually located in Kirby Muxloe.

According to Blaby District Council neither would this one be as Barry Drive is officially within the boundaries of Leicester Forest East, also pointed out in the November post along with only one application which was declined.

So what we ask is this, is the chip shop fact or fiction and if true would it be welcome? I say fiction having spoken to the planning department at the council late last year and given the area where they wish to locate it. Would I welcome it, for the number of times I would use it, no loss no profit really, but what say you?

Here’s hoping that you all had a good Christmas and that each and everyone of us are looking forward to 2010.

Thanking you for your continued support in 2009.

Firstly I must apologise for not delivering the petitions to local businesses for everyone to sign, further thought and calls suggested an alternative approach was required given the time limit for any possible positive reaction to provide a glorious dazzling display, which as residents we would undoubtably expect.

I  contacted Anstey and Groby Parish Councils to ask if they would be able to tell us what their budgets are for village Christmas trimmings in comparison to ours when I asked. Anstey Council have a contract and have now spent in excess of £30,000, Groby informed me that as they did not have the figures at hand they will take my number and return my call, I was not expecting an immediate response so was not disappointed, I’ll wait, they sounded genuine enough!

I then contacted our Council to ask what, if any our budget is for village trimmings at Christmas. Speaking to head of finance who was pleasantly approachable,  the reply was as follows:-
“The Parish Council is delighted that village residents are debating an issue that they feel strongly about and one that has only very recently been brought to the attention of Councillors. The next meeting of the Parish Council is set for Thursday 7th January 2010. An item called ‘Christmas Lights’ has been added to the agenda that will be posted on notice boards in advance of the meeting. Parish Council meetings are open to the public. Meetings start at 7.00 pm in the Council Chamber and members of the public are invited at speak at 8.00 pm or at the conclusion of the meeting, whichever is the earliest. May I take this opportunity to wish all followers of this web site a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

With best wishes, Dr. Kevin Tansey, Chair of the Finance Committee, Kirby Muxloe Parish Council”

Honest but as expected, and not just because of the current economic climate but because they have to adhere to policies and procedures.

So it seems  we have a few weeks to think about what we want to see, and where we would like to see it, put our opinions across at the meeting, maybe a few months to come up with some suggestions, and a year to wait for an outcome whilst they tinker with the budget. It may not be what we wanted but it is more than what we have had.

Thoughts?