Winslow History | Rural District Council

Winslow Rural District Council

The Local Government Act 1894 led to the establishment of Winslow Rural District Council (RDC) as well as the Parish Council. The Bucks Herald (22 Dec 1894) reported the result of the first election for the two councillors to represent Winslow.

J. East (old guardian) 157
W.S. Neal 146
Not elected - E. Illing (Lib.), 145
F. Monk, 97
E. George [=George Edwin] (Labour), 8.
The declaration of the poll was delayed until about 1 p.m., in consequence of a re-count being demanded.

Buckingham Advertiser, 5 Jan 1895
RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL.-The first meeting of the new Council, was held on Friday, at the Board Room, and was attended by the whole of the nineteen members. The business consisted of the declaration of acceptance of office by each Councillor, and the appointment of Chairman and Vice-chairman. For the former post there were nominated Mr. Thomas Biggs, of North Marston, and Mr. E. H. Baylis, of Hogston, both members of the old Board – on a show of hands Mr Biggs was chosen. For the Vice-chairman, Mr. Wm. Hedges, of Littlecote, Stewkley, and Mr. James East, of Winslow, were nominated, and the latter was chosen. The Chairman, Mr. Biggs, is a Progressive Conservative, and the Vice-chairman, Mr. East, a Liberal. The Board decided to alter the day of meeting from Wednesday to Friday.

Buckingham Advertiser, 20 July 1895

W I N S L O W
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INQUIRY.

On Tuesday week, Mr. R. Deane Sweeting, M.B., held a public Government inquiry at the Board Room, Winslow, when among others present were Mr. Thos. Biggs, J.P. (Chairman of the District Council), Mr. James East (Vice-Chairman); Mr. T. P. Willis (Clerk), Mr. T. F. Vaisey (Medical Officer of Health), Mr. Wise (Sanitary Inspector), Revs. S. Phillips, John Pither, and H. K Byard, and Messrs Monk, Neal, J. Ingram, G. Owen, C. Watson, S. J. [=A.J.] Clear, W. N Midgley, J. Keys, W. H. Stevens, C. Saving, E. Sturges, W. Jones, Hitchcock, F. Roads, H. Ingram, T. Rawlins, James Lee, W. Lorkin, John Varney, &c.

The proceedings commenced by reading the notice from the Local Government Board:- “Whereas by Section 43 of the Public Health Act, 1875, power is given to the Local Government Board by Order to require any Local Authority to undertake or contract for the removal of house refuse from premises, and the cleansing of earth closets, privies, ashpits, and cesspools, for the whole or any part of their districts. And whereas the Local Government Board have directed that a local enquiry shall be held with a view of enabling them to determine whether they shall issue an order under the said Section, requiring the Rural District Council of Winslow, in the County of Buckingham, to undertake or contract for the removal of house refuse from premises, and the cleansing of earth closets privies, ashpits, and cesspool, for the contributory place of Winslow.”

Mr. Sweeting said the nature of the inquiry was this, it arose from an application of the Winslow Board of Guardians (now the District Council), to have byelaws passed, bearing on the occupiers of the different parishes of the Union. Dr. Bulstrode was sent down by the Local Government Board, and made an extensive Inquiry, the result of which was he made a report which advised the Board not to assent to the issuing of byelaws for Winslow, but for them to contract for the disposal of their refuse themselves. Copies of this report had been sent down to Winslow, and circulated. The object of the present Inquiry was that evidence should be received for and against a compulsory order from the Local Government Board to the District Council to contract for the disposal of their scavenging. He should be pleased to receive any evidence, either for or against this.

The evidence of Mr. T. F. Vaisey, Medical Officer of Health, was then taken. He said as regards the great part of Winslow there was sufficient ground to dispose of the refuse and ashes, but in High Street and the Square, and Piccadilly and Horn Street there was very limited accommodation behind many of the houses, in consequence the ash-pits were sometimes left unemptied for over 12 months, and the smell then became very bad. People were in the habit of leaving their ashes till there was enough to fill a load. There was no regular system of scavenging, and they had to depend upon the neighbours lending them cart, etc. In his opinion there ought to be a regular system of scavenging to compel people to have them emptied every week, unless they preferred to do it themselves. In the greater part of Winslow the occupiers could do their own scavenging, two-thirds could do so or more, but the remaining one-third should certainly be undertaken by the Sanitary Authority. Perhaps one-third was too much to say, out of 360 houses probably, 270 or three-fourths could do their own scavenging…

… Mr. Neal asked Mr. Vaisey if he did not think the hog buckets at people’s doors were a nuisance.

Mr. Vaisey replied yes, at the doors.

Mr. Bridger asked Mr. Vaisey whether he considered it healthy to have a lot of ashes under the shop of his business premises [27 Market Square?].

Mr. Vaisey said it must be very unhealthy.

Mr. Bridger said what was he to do then, if he had no other place to put them. Underneath his shop he could show the Inspector a ton of ashes.

Mr. Monk : What do you live in such a house for then.

Mr. Bridger : I call that a ridiculous question…

… Mr. Neal : Don’t you think its hard for one section of the town to have to pay for empting the middens of the other.

Mr. Wise said perhaps it was, but on the other hand there was the danger of them percolating into the soil, and polluting the wells…

… In reply to Mr. Neal, Mr. Wise said there were Poors Pieces and the gardens on the back of the Laundry [land off Buckingham Road, now part of Courthouse Close] and Shipton gardens, where the refuse could be put.

Mr. Neal said it could only be put on at certain times of the year.

The Inspector : Mr. Wise contends that a great deal of it can be disposed of to the Allotment Holders. Do you admit that?

Mr. Neal said he could not contest it, as they did so now.

Mr. Neal : Do you think they would be willing to pay 6d a load for it.

Mr. Wise said : Yes.

Mr. Neal : Do you know that ashes are the worst things out to put on some of the land.

Mr. Wise said they would be mixed with street sweepings, and other refuse…

… Mr. Wise, replying to Mr. Neal, said he believed Winslow was a very healthy place, and he should like to keep it so. There had been no cases of typhoid while he had been in office, but he believed there had been two whilst he lived in the town. He could not say what these two were attributable to.

Mr. Neal said it was attributed to the drains, but it was not so. The real cause was that the soft water pipes had got turned into the well, and they were drinking water poisoned by birds and cats excrement. The man who put it right said the town drains were perfect on that spot.

Rev. John Pither said as occupier of part of the house in question [9 Horn Street], he got an Inspector from London, Mr. Hennings, to inspect it, and he said the drainage must be very imperfect somewhere, for the soil underneath the kitchen was saturated with sewage…

… The Inspector said the condition of this place was that of a town, not a village, and it required the systematic removal of its refuse, and not the fitful way in which it was now being done. The object was to get the ashpits removed before they were full, and not to wait till they could not hold any more. It was extremely irregular at present, some being empted every three months, some every six months, and some at much longer intervals…

…Mr. W.H. Stevens said the smells in Winslow very often did not come from the ashpits, but from manure on the fields, with which the town was surrounded. He was certain that was where the smells came from.

Mr. Willis said his fields had no manure put on them for 15 years, and they did not want it, he was glad to say.

Mr. Stevens said he was not alluding to Mr. Willis’ fields.

After one or two remarks from Mr. Monk and the Inspector concerning Tinker’s End water supply, the latter declared the inquiry closed.

See Parish Council for what followed from the inspector's recommendations.

1896: 8 Feb
WINSLOW HIGHWAYS.- The Surveyor reported by appointment he met Councillor Neal and Mr. Monk, the late Surveyor of highways for the parish, and inspected the odd pieces of road and walks of Winslow, and took Mr. Monk’s statement of what the Surveyors had done in the past.- Mr. Monk said the Surveyors had repaired as follows:- Western Lane as far as Spring Close; Church Walk and Road as far as George George’s gate; pebble pitching to the Churchyard gate; and the Churchyard path, ever since the Church rate, was done away with; the back road to the Market Square, by the “Rose and Crown”; Bell Alley and the walk by Mr. Wigley’s (with fine granite); Hobhowchin Lane; the piece near Sanniford’s [Staniford’s] pump up to the gates; the road as far as Mrs. Loffler’s gate had been a parish road for 150 years, and the property upon both sides was originally parish property and was sold to help build the present Union House. The remaining odd pieces the Surveyor had not repaired - The Council decided that they would repair all the above except the Churchyard paths.

April 1898 Winslow RDC election:
William Samuel Neal 222
Ebenezer A. Illing 117
Not elected - James East 111

For reasons which were not explained in the local press there was only one Conservative candidate against two Liberals. Perhaps the original plan was to avoid a contest by the sitting councillors, Neal (Conservative) and East (Liberal), standing unopposed, and Illing put in his nomination too late for another Conservative to stand. James East (who died in 1901) continued as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Guardians.

1901: no election

Leighton Buzzard Observer, 19 March
Mr. E. A. Illing having withdrawn his candidature for the District Council, Mr. W. H. Lorkin will run in without opposition.
Mr. Illing has been one of the two district councillors for Winslow for the last three years and considerable surprise is expressed at his withdrawal.

Buckingham Advertiser, 30 March
Mr. W. S. Neal and Mr. Walter Horatio Lorkin are returned unopposed as District Councillors for Winslow.

1903: Buckingham Advertiser, 17 Jan
Mr. Wise, sanitary inspector, reported that he had had all the public wells in Winslow, with the exception of the one at Tinkers’ End, opened and examined. The Horn Street well was 12 feet 6 inches deep, and had 11 inches of water; that in Market Square was 72 feet deep, and had 4 feet 6 inches of water; that at Sheep Street was 12 feet deep, and had 1 foot 3 inches of water; the Stanifords well was 20 feet deep, with 1 foot 8 inches of water; and the Union well was 25 feet 6 inches deep, with 2 feet of water. The Horn Street and Sheep Street wells should be sunk. The small quantity of water found in each well would be proof enough that the water supply of the town was getting a serious question, considering that upwards of 30 private water supplies had failed recently, which made a greater demand upon the public supplies. Unless there was a tremendous rainfall or very deep snow fall during the winter they would be worse off for water next summer and must face the question of a better and more adequate supply.
Mr. Neal moved that the work recommended by Mr. Wise should be carried out and the wells mentioned sunk deeper so as to get a pocket supply. He suggested that arrangements be made for pumps to be placed at Grandborough brook bridge and Great Horwood brook, so that water carts could fetch water for trade purposes and the public pumps used for domestic purposes- (hear, hear).

Horn Street with Crooked Billet on left
The Horn Street well and pump (centre of photo) were outside the Crooked Billet

Sewerage question, 1903

1903: Buckingham Advertiser, 23 May
Nineteen tenders were received for the carrying out of the Winslow-cum-Shipton sewerage scheme. Mr. H. A. Johnson, M Inst. C.E., 15, The Exchange, Bradford, is the engineer, and he estimated that the work would cost £3,800. A sum of £5,000 has been borrowed for the work, but this includes the cost of the land and other necessary charges. The scheme is for the whole of Winslow, with a population of 1,700. There is to be about a mile and a-half of sewers laid to sewer the town. The sewerage disposal works will comprise subsiding tanks and three bacteria filter beds, and the further treatment of the effluent is to be on four acres of land. There are also storm water filters provided for to deal with the excess beyond what will be treated in the bacteria beds and on the land……The tender of Messrs. Matthews Bros. was accepted by the Council. Some discussion took place on the advisability of appointing a clerk of the works, but the matter was postponed.

The land in question was part of Hollow Furrow, east of Granborough Road and south of where Tinkers End Garage is now.

1903: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 2 June
Messrs. Wigley wrote consenting to give up possession at once of the field required for the sewerage works on payment of thirty guineas compensation, the rates to September to be paid by them.
Mr. Neal explained that Messrs. Matthews insisted on having immediate possession of the field where the sewage tanks were to be put; in fact, they could not very well sign the contract unless they had possession. If they had not possession at once they might not be able to finish the work within the given time, namely, by February. He might say that Mr. Arthur Monk had offered to give £5 for the bite of grass in the field up to June 15th.

Station Road controversies, 1904-05

Buckingham Advertiser, 6 Feb 1904: letter to Mr. T.P. Willis, Clerk, Winslow R.D.C.
Dear Sir, - As I could not agree to your proposal to take over the Station Road in perpetuity, I feel that in justice to the ratepayers that I ought forthwith to tender you my resignation as a member of your Board. My seat will therefore become vacant from this date. To take over this expensive roadway and maintain the same without an annual grant, seems to me to be perfectly absurd. Of course this action of mine will not prevent me from standing as a candidate at the next election should the electors invite me to do so.
Yours faithfully,
WALTER H. LORKIN.

Mr Lorkin's resignation was not accepted by the Local Government Board.

Buckingham Advertiser, 13 Feb 1904
It is with pleasure we announce that the negotiations of the Winslow Rural District Council with the London and North-Western Railway Company have been highly successful. The company has agreed to the terms of the Council, whereby the latter take over the road in perpetuity for the sum of £400. The cost of putting the road into proper order is estimated at a little over £300. There is, however, a probability of its being taken over at no far distant date by the County Council, the same as was done at Buckingham with the piece of road from the viaducts to the Passenger Station.
The Station Road, Winslow, has been in a most deplorable, or we might say, disgraceful state for years past. It is the only entrance from the station to the town, and holds an excellent situation as a site for residential properties, and the traffic along the road and paths is very large. It is therefore a matter of the heartiest congratulation that the Rural District Council has been able to come to such a satisfactory conclusion with the railway company.

Buckingham Advertiser, 3 Dec 1904
Mr. Viccars appeared before the Council and asked permission to be allowed to cut down the hedge in front of his plot of ground on the Station Road. [He bought two building plots in the sale on 1 Nov 1904 (read more)]
   The Chairman said this Council, a short time back, made a very fair offer to the owners of these plots of land, but it was refused. That being so, he thought the Council would now be hardly justified in granting the permission asked for. If they allowed this application they would have to allow others to do the same. He regretted that the owners of the plots did not see their way to accept the terms the Council offered them.
   Mr. Viccars replied that he could not get them in the mind at the time, and he did not think they all would agree to the terms now. His application referred to about twelve feet of the hedge. He would take up the hedge and fill the ditch in.
   Mr. Viccars was asked to retire.
   The members then discussed the question, and the suggestion was made by Mr. Colgrove that a committee of three members should inspect the place and report to the next meeting. The question then arose as to whether Mr. Viccars was willing to purchase his share of the ground belonging to the Council, and it was suggested that if he would do so it might be advisable to sell it to him.
   Mr. Viccars was called into the room, and in answer to the Chairman, said he had no intention of purchasing the bit of ground offered him by the Council.
   The members said in the face of that point blank refusal from Mr. Viccars they did not see the use of appointing a small committee on the question.
   The Chairman said he thought that under the circumstances the Council would be well advised not to take any further action in it.
   Mr. Viccars : Very good, sir.
   Mr. Lorkin : How about the cattle.
   The Chairman replied that if the hedge was destroyed and the cattle did damage it would not be the fault of the Council.
   Mr. Viccars : If you will not allow me to cut up the hedge, I must chop another gateway through it.
   Mr. Hedges reminded him that he was only entitled to a certain amount of the hedge for entrance to his doors.
   Mr. Viccars : I know as much about it as you do.
   He then retired.

Buckingham Advertiser, 31 Dec 1904
The Clerk produced a copy of the deeds, dated 1849, when the railway was made and the Station Road.
   The special clause as to the privileges retained to the owners of the land on the sides of the road was read.
   Mr. Neal said it appeared there had been some misapprehension on the matter, and he regretted he was unable to be present at the former meeting a month back, when Mr. Viccars attended before the Council. The Station Road was the main entrance to the town, and his opinion was that the Council should do all it could to make it worthy of the town. He had very much altered his opinion on the question, and he now felt that instead of disposing of the slice of land to the owners of the plots it would be better to widen the road. At any rate if there was to be any grubbing-up of the hedge, it should be done very thoroughly. The slice of ground could be added to the pathway, and in that case the road could be widened, as it was very narrow in one place especially. If the road was widened and made a good substantial one it would be taken over by the County Council.
   The Clerk said the County Council would no doubt take it over as they had done in other cases where the road led to the station.

Buckingham Advertiser, 14 Jan 1905
…The Chairman said he had thought the matter over seriously, and he hoped all parties would come to an amicable arrangement. He thought the committee agreed to suggest to Mr. Wigley that the property should be fenced by the owners, and the Council would undertake to do what was necessary to improve the road. That seemed the easiest and most simple way. It would be a great improvement to the town to have a good entrance from the station. The road was not now sufficiently wide, and in his opinion, if they could induce Mr. Wigley and the other owners to put a fence down at their boundary, while the Council grubbed up their fence and put a pipe drain down, bringing the path up to the property and throwing some of the present path into the road, it would be a great improvement. It would involve considerable expense in addition to the sum they received from the railway company, but it would fall on the whole district.

Buckingham Advertiser, 20 May 1905
A great improvement has been effected at Winslow by the grubbing-up of the hedge in the Station Road and the filling-in of the ditch. It has added a large slice of ground to the footpath, and with the improvement of the road and footpath there is now every probability of this entrance to the town being what it should be - a credit and not disgrace, as had been the case too long. It is quite possible, too, that steps will shortly be taken to improve the path on the opposite side, and at the same time remedy the smoke nuisance from the creamery chimney.

Buckingham Advertiser, 12 Aug 1905
STATION ROAD, WINSLOW.
Mr. Wise said the house connections of the new sewer would be completed this month, and he desired to know what he should do respecting the four gas lamps on the one side of the road, and the platform at the Creamery on the other; also as to the curbing and channelling, and the width of the road.
Some discussion followed, in which it was stated that the question of the platform at the Creamery would have to be carefully considered, but on the other hand it was contended that it could not be allowed now that the road had come into the hands of the Council.
It was at length resolved that the Gas Company should be written to respecting the altering of the position of the gas lamps, and that Mr. Edwards should be written to respecting the platform at the Creamery.

1904 RDC election

Buckingham Advertiser, 12 March
There will be contests for the Winslow Board of Guardians and Rural District Council at Great Horwood, Stewkley, Swanbourne, and Winslow. At the latter place there are five nominations for the two seats…viz., Mr. W. S. Neal, Mr. W. H. Lorkin, Mr. E. A. Illing, Mr. John Varney, and Rev. H. K. Byard. The latter three are new candidates. [Mr Byard subsequently withdrew.]

Buckingham Advertiser, 2 April
This election caused considerable excitement the two old councillors, Messrs. W. S. Neal and W. Lorkin, and two fresh candidates putting up- Messrs. E. A. Illing and John Varney. Messrs Neal and Varney ran together as Conservatives Mr. Lorkin as a Labour candidate, and Mr. Illing as a Liberal. The result was:
            LORKIN                                                                    181
            NEAL                                                                        142
                        ILLING                                                         139
                        VARNEY                                                       109

Buckingham Advertiser, 2 April
THE WINSLOW ELECTION.
The following “skits” have been sent us for publication:-

TURF NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS.
The Aredeesee Union Steeplechase,
To be run at Winslow,
Monday, 28th March, 1904, from 12 till 8.

MALT AND HOPS, BY “Smash ‘em up” out of “Let me see,” a good upstanding grey colt, aged 9, very speedy, rather short of wind, and hot-tempered. Ran a good race in the Assessment Stakes last season, and easily won the Station Road Cup this year. Rather nervous of Water and not unlikely to come a cropper over the Dry Ditch at Matthews’ Corner. Entered for the Oddfellows’ Presentation Plate, but was scratched on morning of race. This horse is owned by the “Winslow Ladies’ Syndicate”; he will run well and in all probability start favourite.

BLACK COFFEE, by “Ecclesiastic” out of “Magpie.” A big black colt full of life, bit of a jibber, and will require a strong jockey. Was entered for this race three years ago, but failed to appear at the Post, thereby disappointing his backers. Missed the County Selling Race which he ought to have won easily. Has shown grand form lately at exercise, especially over the Water and Sewage Jumps, but at the present time is suffering from cold. His owner, Mr. Fred Josiah, hopes to have him fit for Monday, when no doubt he will be in the first flight. This horse has been trained at Kirby Moorside.

THE LAMBKIN, by “Dare Not” out of “Resignation,” aged 3. A fine lean-limbed bay, peculiar action and uncertain temper; likely to cause a false start. Good at his fences, but has a nasty habit of running out. Very nervous and excitable, and will give his jockey- Labour- a rough time. Ran for the Station Road Cup, but did not finish the course; also ran for the Sewerage Sweepstake, when he lodged a complaint against Engineer for bumping. However, with a good start he should win. Owner uncertain.

HONEST JOHN, by “Embrocation” out of “Blue Serge,” half brother to “Hard-times-never-come-no-more,” stable companion to Malt and Hops. Yearling. Useful grey colt, full of muscle, and small limbed. This is his maiden race. Quiet and a bit shy, but a likely stayer. Great things are expected of this youngster, if only he will face the crowd. This horse will run untried.
THE NIPPER.
LATEST WINSLOW BETTING.
2 to 1 on The Lambkin, t and o.
5 to 4 agst Black Coffee, o.
2 to 1 agst. Malt and Hops, t and w.
3 to 1 agst. Honest John, t.
Latest Intelligence from the Course, March 26th.- Malt and Hops and Honest John, piloted by the Deemster did a mile gallop round the Pump, pulling up fresh; Black Coffee had a good two mile spin to Grandborough Church, in company with Melancholy J; The Lambkin was absent from exercise this morning.

[Notes: Malt and Hops = W.S. Neal, who got his way about the RDC taking over Station Road, and always opposed Winslow having a piped water supply. He was aged 9 because he had been a councillor for 9 years. Black Coffee = E.A. Illing, who withdrew from the election in 1901, and was a supporter of water and sewerage schemes. The Lambkin = W.H Lorkin, who tried to resign from the RDC over the Station Road issue and called a public meeting about the sewerage question. Honest John = John Varney, who hadn't previously taken much part in public affairs. The Deemster was the title of a popular novel by Hall Caine, and means a Manx judge, so probably refers to one of the magistrates, who were all Conservatives. The Nipper is so far unidentified; he was evidently familiar with the racing papers. "Labour" was a label used by Mr Lorkin but not yet an organised party (although he could have been a member of the Independent Labour Party).]

The Union Steeplechase.
NOTES ON THE RACE.
This great event at last is over,
And The Lambkin’s backers are in clover;
At the open ditch he nearly fell,
But Labour rode him very well.
It certainly does the jockey credit,
For his mount has no superior merit.
After jumping the fence by the railway line
I really thought he would resign;
But his jockey then snatched up his whip,
And woke The Lambkin up a bit;
This seemed to bring him to his senses,
For well he jumped the last few fences.
Old Malt and Hops went very straight,
And he certainly can jump,
Though his speed, I think, was not improved
By his gallop round the pump.
A shorter race might suit him best,
For he certainly is fast;
But when he has to go three miles
His bellows will not last.
Black Coffee made the pace quite hot,
But soon got into trouble,
And after several bad mistakes
Came a cropper at the double.
Now Honest John’s a taking colt,
And, no doubt, is very speedy,
But he’s not the sort to carry weight,
And at his best is weedy;
Yet should these gee-gees meet again
Over a different course,
I quite expect that Honest John
Will prove the better horse.

Sewerage question, 1904

1904: Buckingham Advertiser, 30 April: RDC meeting on 29 April
FIGHTING IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
MR. W. S. NEAL AND MR. W. H. LORKIN.
WINSLOW SEWERAGE WORKS.
The Chairman read the report of the special committee on the connections with the Winslow sewerage works [i.e. who should pay for linking individual houses to the main sewer], and moved the adoption of the report.
Mr. F. W. Lester (Vice-Chairman) seconded this.
Mr. Lorkin asked the Press to take notice of the fact that though he was a member of the special committee he did not agree with the report.
Mr. Neal charged Mr. Lorkin with inconsistency and making contradictory statements, and proceeded to read from his own private notes statements he said Mr. Lorkin made in committee.
Mr. Lorkin said the statements Mr. Neal was reading were absolute and abominable lies. They were downright thumping lies.
Mr. Neal appealed to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Wise as to whether the notes he was reading were not true.
Mr. Lorkin repeated that they were downright thumping lies, and added that Mr. Neal did not represent the ratepayers of Winslow, and only got in by three votes. He repeated this.
Mr. Neal rose from his chair, and passing by Mr. Missenden, who was sitting between Mr. Lorkin and himself, struck Mr. Lorkin.
Mr. Lorkin returned the blow, and blows were freely exchanged, till Mr. Neal forced Mr. Lorkin back on to the table, from which Mr. Lorkin recovered himself, when they both rolled over on to the floor, blows all the time being freely given and returned.
Mr. Missenden, Mr. Midgley (Assistant Clerk), and the Chairman were now doing their best to separate the combatants, and at length Mr. Missenden succeeded in doing so, and they returned to their seats, but not until Mr. Lorkin had called out that he was prepared to have it out with Mr. Neal outside the room.
The affair was so sudden and unexpected- though Mr. Lorkin had previously told Mr. Neal to go to the d— that there was a sigh of relief when all were again seated, but the remainder of the business was transacted with a quietness and hushed calm that succeeds the thunderstorm.

Mr Lorkin then arranged a ratepayers' meeting in the Centenary Hall.

1904: Buckingham Advertiser, 22 Oct
WINSLOW SEWAGE FARM.
Mr. Wise asked for instructions respecting the field [east of Granborough Road], which should be broken up. He also asked as to whether the remainder of the draining of the land should be proceeded with. The land to be broken up was about five and a half acres, and it would have to be brought under cultivation.- The question arose as to whether it should be ploughed or dug.- Mr. Norman suggested that at any rate a portion of it should be dug, in which case work would be found for the unemployed.- Mr. Colgrove thought it was one of those cases in which a committee should be appointed. They could call it the Farm Committee if they liked. The committee could inspect the land and give their opinion, which would strengthen the hands of Mr. Wise.- The Council agreed with this suggestion, and it was resolved, upon the proposition of Mr. Roads, seconded by Mr. Hedges, that the matter be left in the hands of the committee, composed of Mr. Biggs, Mr. Lester, Mr. Neal, and Mr. Colgrove.- It was also decided that they should enquire into the rent to be paid by Mr. Cripps for the use of the field.

1904: Buckingham Advertiser, 29 Oct
The Winslow Sewage Works progressed another step on Tuesday, when an enquiry was held by the Local Government Board respecting the application of the Rural District Council for the sanction of an additional loan of £2,750, viz., £650 for excess work of the estimate for the sewage works and £2,100 for the house connections. There was a large attendance, and it was evident that by far the majority were opposed to the idea of spending the ratepayers’ money in connecting the main sewer with the properties of private owners. The argument was that connections should only be made up to the boundary of the properties. A number of speakers were heard, and at length it was stated that if the connections were made only up to the boundaries of the properties no less than two-thirds of the £2,100 would be required, viz., £1,400 of the £2,100.
So it was felt after all that there was not much ground in the objection, especially as if the Council did the whole of the work it would be on one uniform and efficient principle, whereas if it was left to individual owners of property it would be done at intervals, and most probably on different lines. In all such matters grievances arise. For instance, the hamlet of Shipton whilst paying its share of the rates will have no benefit from the sewage scheme and the same remarks apply to the lower houses on the Station Road. This of course could only have been remedied by the means of deeper excavations, or by devising a scheme whereby the town could have been drained in sections so as to include two or three outfalls. As we said last week, the sewage works are completed, but until the houses are connected with the sewer, the money that has been spent might as well have been cast into the sea, consequently the sooner the connections are made the sooner will the town begin to reap the advantage of the money it has expended.
The water question, however, is very closely to the front. It appears there are about 200 wells in the town, and that half of these contain contaminated water, and about a quarter of them became dry last summer. It is proposed to flush the closets by bucket where there are not soft water tanks, but it was rightly said that very few cottagers would be found willing to fetch water from any long distance for this purpose; and though with average rainfall it was thought there would be sufficient water, the engineer was very definite in his opinion that in time the town must provide a proper water supply.
The ratepayers have had some little experience of the troubles and anxieties, to say nothing of expense, pending the installation of the sewage works, and now it behoves them to calmly consider the question of a proper water supply, so that they may be prepared to meet the difficulty when it shall arise, as surely it will sooner or later; and when the connections are made, in all probability the difficulty will arise sooner than is anticipated. With a sewage works and connections and an inadequate supply of water the last stage will be worse than the first.

In 1904 the RDC was also involved in a dispute about washing the Market Square

1907 RDC election

Buckingham Advertiser, 16 March
RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
The following are the nominations for the Winslow district councillorship (2 seats):-
BYARD, Henry Kerby, Baptist minister. Proposer, Frederick Benbow; seconder, W. E. Woodman.
ILLING, Ebenezer Alfred, farmer and grocer. Proposer, William Samuel Neal; seconder, William Hall Stevens.
MONK, William Readman, farmer. Proposer, Sidney Prudden Wigley; seconder, Herbert Henry Wigley.

Buckingham Advertiser, 23 March
TO THE ELECTORS OF WINSLOW.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,-
I have been asked by numerous Electors of the Parish of Winslow to offer myself as a Candidate for the office of District Councillor and Guardian, and having consented, should you elect me as one of your representatives I shall endeavour to promote the welfare of the town and district to the best of my ability. The town has my personal interest. Having resided here the past 30 years and being a large ratepayer, you may depend upon my studying you in every way.
                                                            I am, yours faithfully,
                                                                        E. A. ILLING.
            Horn Street, Winslow.
                        March 22, 1907.

Buckingham Advertiser, 30 March
WINSLOW. RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
The retiring members for Winslow, Mr. W. S. Neal and Mr. W. H. Lorkin, did not offer themselves for re-election, but there were three candidates for the two seats, namely, Mr. W. R. Monk, farmer; Mr. E. A. Illing, grocer; and the Rev. H. K. Byard, Baptist minister.
The result was-
            MONK      195
            ILLING     128
            Byard       121

Buckingham Advertiser, 30 March
The Winslow Local Steeplechase.
This great and important event is over
And The Monk’s supporters are in clover;
Their faith at no time did diminish,
For “the favourite” won from start to finish;
But Ebbie’s backers had a fright.
For he nearly succumbed to the Mite.
He was clearly in front when the straight was reached
And his party jumped, and yelled, and screeched;
But The Mite just then appeared in view
And got up to Ebbie before he knew.
They were locked together when passing the post,
And “the old ‘oss” squeezed home by a head at most.
Through an accident happening on the line
The Mite’s jockey didn’t get there in time;
Had he done so, to score would have been quite easy,
For Ebbie at the finish had grown quite wheezy.
In the paddock he showed ‘em he wasn’t quite done,
And his kicking and rearing caused some fun;
The close finish had evidently roused his ire,
For his eyes shone out like balls of fire.
A contrast!- The Mite stood meekly by,
And scarcely troubled to yawn or sigh.
The excitement’s over, peace is restored;
The winner’s next outing will be “The Board.”
SCROGGINS.

Water supply, 1907

Bucks Herald, 16 Nov
Another matter of far greater importance awaited the [Rural District] Council, in the question of providing a public water supply for Winslow. It was the general opinion when the sewage works were undertaken that the next and inevitable step would be the establishment of a water supply, and this is now brought forward. An influentially-signed petition was laid before the Council, among the signatories being four officials, viz., Dr T. F. Vaisey, Medical Officer of Health; Mr. W. Wise, Sanitary Inspector; and Dr T. Kennish and Dr. S. Moberly, Medical Officers of the Board. It is, of course, a matter that primarily concerns the town of Winslow, and on the proposition of its two representatives, Mr. W. R. Monk and Mr. E. A. Illing, it was decided to refer it back to the Winslow Parish Council. This was certainly the proper step to take as Winslow will have to find the money. It is much to be hoped that Winslow will take a lesson from the experience of neighbouring towns and not bring forward opposition for mere opposition sake, thereby landing the town in needless, irritating, and expensive legal expenses. That a water supply must be provided now that the sewage work are established is regarded by many as inevitable. The essential thing is to find out how an efficient supply of pure water can be procured at the lowest cost.