Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council

A warm send-off for Tom English

Many Parish Council friends, colleagues and associates gathered in the Community Room in Lynsted Church on 19^th August to mark the retirement of Tom English. In a short, informal ceremony before the scheduled meeting of the Parish Council, the current Chairman began by welcoming many old friends of Tom. These included past chairmen David Bage, Jean Waters and Fred Smith, and one-time Clerk and councillor Tony Vaughan. Several more recent, and current, members of the Parish Council were also present, as well as Tom’s wife Barbara.

In paying tribute to Tom’s enormous contribution to the community, Bob Baxter outlined some of the highlights of his thirty-two years of service. The list of Parish Council achievements during Tom’s eleven years as chairman was particularly long, and included the initiation of the Parish Design Statement, production of a Parish Plan, creation of the Cellar Hill and Greenstreet Conservation Area, the absorption of Kingsdown into the Parish, and the creation of the much-needed Lynsted Lane footway.

Tom was presented, by the Parish Council, with a Japanese maple tree, as a token of appreciation for all he had done for the community.

In response, Tom referred to the recent sad and untimely death of his close friend and neighbour Cllr John Disney. He explained how he had enjoyed serving the community over the years, how he was not in favour of certain recent trends, and how ‘real’ retirement would be something of a shock (both to him and Barbara!).  In a reciprocal gesture, he presented the Parish Council with the original Minute Book (first entry December 18^th 1894) and original Declaration of Acceptance of Office book.

Tom was wished a long and happy retirement.

Bob Baxter.