“What’s a Lengthsman?” is a question often asked. Historically, a parish Lengthsman was assigned to maintain the country roads within the parish, trimming back hedges, cutting vegetation, filling in potholes and clearing ditches.
Due to changes in law and mechanisation, highway maintenance is now the responsibility of local authorities. Work can now be done in a fraction of the time it took one man using hand tools. In recent years, Lengthsmen started to make a comeback, financed by local County Councils.
Burghclere is part of a Lengthsman Scheme along with several other neighbouring parishes.
Litterwarden
The parish employs a litterwarden for the village and his salary (12 hours/week) is paid for by a grant from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council with additional support by McDonalds at Tothill. His task includes keeping footpaths and open spaces free of litter, putting litter in the bins for this purpose and ensuring they are emptied.