Highclere parish councillors bid fond farewell to parish clerk of almost a decade

Mike Harwood bowed out of the role after nine years, at last Tuesday’s parish council meeting, held at Highclere Village Hall.
Mr Harwood was presented with a watch to mark the occasion, by chairwoman, Sally Izett, who said the parish council and parishioners were “very grateful for all the work the clerk has put in for the last nine years”.
Mr Harwood: “I have enjoyed it. It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve been very proud to be a part of it.”
During the meeting, Mr Harwood guided councillors carefully and at length through the detail of the parish council’s budget figures, revealing the precept from April would be £12,836, a figure down on last year’s precept of £13,446.
Mr Harwood said the reduction of 4.45 per cent was due to financial restraint and prudence.
The new clerk Sue Edwards, of Penwood, officially took over from January 1, followed by a handover period.
Mrs Edwards is a former parish councillor, who stepped down 18 months ago and whose place on the parish council was filled by Penwood villager Don Langan.