Fieldstone

FIELDSTONE

A Short Rural Fictional Story in Three Parts by Nicholas Newman 2 April 2007

GETTING HOT AND BOTHERED - Part 1

The prospect of Cowbridgeshire getting its first pole dancing nightclub has got the county's chattering classes in a tizzy.

Next Monday's planning meeting should prove very entertaining. Normally, such planning meetings are avoided like the plague by our normally somulant residents.

John Stevens of Ankh Enterprises Ltd is behind the proposed scheme to convert a long empty furniture store into a nightclub, restaurant and pole dance venue in the depressed rural county town of Fieldstone.

As spokesman for the scheme, John Stevens said, 'This investment will bring 75 new full time permanent jobs and 16 part time jobs to the area, plus twenty on the job training places for those wishing to start a career in the entertainment and hospitality sectors.'

As for the local response, it has been mixed to say the least with Angela Dalyrimply of the Fieldstone Historical Society noting, 'It will bring down property values.'

John Masters, whose funeral business is next door to the proposed club, argues, 'The noise will be enough to wake the dead.' Though university drama student Mary Philips welcomed the prospect, 'I hope the promoters will consider me, I need the work experience, for my chosen career in the entertainment business.'

The meeting takes place at St. John's Baptist Church Hall at 7-30 next Monday.

TROUBLE AND STRIFE - Part 2

At the meeting the following Monday

Councillors faced pickets demonstrating against the proposed Fieldstone pole dancing nightclub.

A group of pickets shouted, 'This is the work of the devil' and, 'We shall not be moved.'

Their banners quoted scripture including, 'Remember Lot's wife' and 'This is the work of the devil.’

Cllr. Graham Dairyman eventually was able to call this rather raucous meeting to order.

When it was time to discuss the matter of Fieldstone's first pole dancing nightclub, Fieldstone Bible Club members of the audience began to read out aloud scripture from' The sin of Judah is written...'Immediately, Chairman Graham Dairyman, asked Constable Roger to intervene.

He asked the protesters to leave. The Fieldstone Bible Club protestors refused to leave, so Cllr. Graham Dairyman the Chairman adjourned the meeting to next door room, leaving the protestors to chant scripture to an empty room.

After some minutes the meeting was reconvened. Amongst the points raised against the scheme by Rev. Kingsley was 'it would bring …and Gomorrah' and 'it was a threat to the morals of this community.'

Cllr. J. Smith said in response, 'religious injunctions and threats to our morals were not admissible as planning grounds to defeat the scheme.' at this there was a loud cheer from many men at the meeting. 'The case can only be considered on its planning grounds alone,' continued Cllr. J. Smith.

John Stevens of Ankh Enterprises Ltd, the proposer behind the scheme was invited to speak. 'Think not that of this as a threat to the community, but a chance of rebirth for a sadly neglected part of Fieldstone. We will create 75 permanent full time jobs, plus an additional 25 part time posts. We will provide on the job work experience for locals to start a career in the hospitality industry.

Our experience has taught us that such a scheme will help kick start the regeneration of the neighbourhood. Within months other businesses will be attracted to invest in the area.'

As a result of this impassioned speech, the audience broke into cheers and the planning permission was granted.

Vicar sees the light over pole dancing club….!

- Part 3

A year later

It has been a year since that heated meeting about building a pole dancing club in Fieldstone was given planning permission. The club, since it opened two months ago has done a roaring trade.

'Business has picked up' says taxi driver Robert Adams. 'I am doing a roaring trade' observes Roberta Thatcher, owner of the local florist Thatcher's.

As for University drama student Mary Philips, the work experience gained has meant she has got an agent and a role in Westenders, when she finishes college in June.

As for community leaders like Cllr. J. Blackstone said, 'I am pleased at the results. It has brought new hope to the community, especially the new job and investment opportunities.'

Even Rev. Kingsley, an opponent of the scheme has had a change of mind. He still disapproves of pole dancing, but said, 'the opportunities and the money donated by the nightclub owners and customers to support his community work have been much appreciated. He commented 'the club has brought a bit of life back to the community.

'For the first time in years the local property market has picked up, new shops and businesses are opening up every week. I have already had to recruit two new staff,' observed Robert Falco of Caesar & Co estate agents.