Page 58 - may2024

May 2024 May 2024
POETRY CORNER
Normandy (It Could Have Been Me)
The sky was dark when we left home, as we went to fight the hun.
Our orders were to put an end to what he had begun.
I did not know what to expect, as I sat with my rifle against my knee.
Now, I stand and look at the rows of graves and think it could have been me.
I didn’t think of myself as a hero, as I fought my way onto dry land.
Over tank traps and barbed wire, I clawed my way up the sand,
When the ramp of the landing craft lowered, and we waded through the
bloody sea.
Now, I stand and look at the rows of graves and think it could have been me.
We made our way south through Normandy, to where we dug ourselves in.
We were under constant shell fire. I did not think that we could win.
There was no glory in the stench of carnage and debris.
Now, I stand and look at the rows of graves and think it could have been me.
I try not to remember but I cannot forget.
My best mate was blown apart, and that still haunts me yet.
It chills me to the bone. In a place where life should be,
Now, I stand and look at the rows of graves and think it could have been me.
I have had no desire to return to this place, since nineteen forty-four.
Then, I was simply doing my job, when this country was at war.
As I look back over my shoulder, as far as my eye can see,
Now, I stand and look at the rows of graves and think it could have been me.
Paul J Openshaw (2014)
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pavements around the village, despite there being bins at regular intervals on
most walks that these can be deposited into. We would urge all dog users to be
considerate of others, and the impact of people walking in, or pushing pushchairs
or wheelchairs through dog mess, and pick up after your dog!
Wildlife Group
Due to the recent storms we’ve suffered, plus the continued spread of Ash
dieback, The Parish Council have had to remove quite a few trees recently, as a
result we will be re-planting replacement trees to maintain the good tree
population within the village, in the coming months.
May Parish Council Meeting and Annual Parish Meeting
Due to the local elections on May 2 , we have moved our May Parish Council
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meeting. This meeting also acts as our AGM, and is preceded by the Annual
Parish Meeting where the Parish Council Chairman gives his report for the year
and any representatives from community groups within the Parish can come and
update us on their activities for the year. The revised date is Tuesday 14 May at
th
7pm.
Cemetery Fees
It was agreed at the meeting to increase all cemetery fees for burials and
interments by 3% as per previous years.
Village Walks
With the current closure of parts of May’s Wood, which formed part of one route
on the Village Walks leaflet, we have reconfigured the route to avoid this area,
and will soon be republishing the routes in both the leaflets and on updated
Village Information Signs in the Car Park and in the layby outside Wild Woodbury.
In conjunction with this, we will also be installing some way markers along the
routes to make navigation easier!
Next Meeting
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The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 May 2024 commencing 7pm at the
Village Hall. If you wish to have an item added to the agenda for discussion,
please contact the Clerk or a member of the Parish Council before the 1 May.
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