As you will have realised the Parish Council was unable to hold the usual public meeting in April and we do not know when we might be able to do so.
At that meeting , the chairman gives a report on the parish council work for the previous twelve months. As most people will know, our chairman, Derek Hayward, died suddenly on 16 January so it would have been my job as vice chairman to run the meeting. It had been my intention to pay tribute to Derek so I am doing so in this article instead.
Derek was the parish council chairman for eleven years and was an exceptional leader. His analytical skills coupled with his attention to detail and quiet unassuming but firm manner were a real asset to the life of this community for which he worked so hard. Over the duration of his chairmanship, there were many challenges which the council had to deal with but with Derek's guidance and expertise, the council was able to find a way through them.
He is very much missed and I, now as chairman, have a hard act to follow.
Lynne Bennett
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