Village Lets World Go By
The troubles of the world seem far removed from Preston Capes; not even a General Election could interfere. On May 3rd the residents turned out without fuss and at their leisure to vote for the candidate they thought should represent Daventry constituency in Parliament.
One gets the impression that Preston Capes could manage without central Government and could survive in its own little world.
Few, if any, election posters were on display and as one sage commented: "The candidates drove through with their microphones but did not stop."
That seems to sum up the village for outsiders; somewhere to pass through.
But in the last three years changes have been made. For a start there is a Parish Council, one of the newest established in the county.
Remaining independent of any political allegiance, the council aims to "serve the interest of local people,"
Mr. Harry Butter and his daughter, Mrs. Christine Farmer, both of Shorn Cottage, said the Parish Council had cost local people no money.
Any expenses that have been incurred, as with a bus shelter, have been paid through fund raising activities.
"In the case of the bus shelter, which cost £435 four years ago, we paid the money back after collecting waste paper and selling it," said Mrs. Farmer, the mother of three children.
Her eldest son, Peter (17) went to Daventry Southbrook School by school bus. Juniors went to Woodford Halse in a school bus, as well.
Attempts at running a youth club failed because the older people were irritated by the antics of young children, according to Mr. Butter, a retired insurance man.
"The problem is that there is really nothing in the village for children to do," said Mrs. Farmer.