Fond farewell for parish council chairman
People packed out the village hall in Burghclere to see the presentation to Bob Hills
THE VILLAGE hall in Burghclere was packed recently with those wishing to join in a fond farewell to a parish council chairman of almost two decades.
Around 60 people were at the annual parish meeting, at the Portal Hall, and extra seats called for, with villagers keen to see the presentation to Bob Hills, who has chaired Burghclere parish council for the last 18 years and been a parish councillor for more than 30 years.
Mr Hills received a water colour of the three houses he has lived in the village – Hornbeam Cottage, Breachfield and Foxgloves – painted by fellow parish councillor, Burghclere villager and artist, Miggie Bruce.
He also received a carving, depicting the village war memorial and the Church of the Ascension in the village by Newbury sculptor, Don Carter.
Mr Hill's wife, Margaret, received a bouquet, with all three presentations made by Hampshire county councillor, Keith Chapman.
An emotional Mr Hills said he was not often stuck for words, but wanted to thank everyone: “If anything I've done has helped in any little way then I'm pleased,” said Mr Hills.
Everyone then tucked into a buffet and wine, courtesy of fellow parish councillor, Cliff James and his wife, Sally.
Afterwards, Mr Hills said he would continue in his many other roles, including: running the neighbourhood watch scheme, of which he is chairman for the borough, while serving on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight committee for the same; providing cycling proficiency courses for children at Burghclere primary school, advertising and printing the parish magazine and running the parish website, driving for the Charles Clore cancer unit and also the intravenous unit at West Berkshire hospital, co-ordinating a local Neighbourcare scheme and organising the village quiz.
Former Basingstoke and Deane borough councillor, James Lewin, who stood down prior to the May local election, was presented with a bottle of liqueur brandy, by the new chairman of the parish council, Chris Saint.
The gifts were made following donations from well-wishers.
