Tributes at Parish Council Meeting

Chairman John Powell opened the Parish Council meeting on 16 May 2013 by paying tribute to former members of the Council. He said,

Hodnet has recently lost two of its great characters.
Let us remember Gerald Mothershaw, a Hodnet man born and bred, a champion vegetable grower, historian, author, and not least a Parish Councillor.
Phil Perry, also a man of the soil; and salt of the earth. Always ready with a suitable, (or maybe not so suitable) joke to lighten the mood, and who served on this Council.

He then asked members of the Council to stand for a moment’s reflection on the lives of these two men.
This meeting also saw the retirement from the Parish Council of a long standing member, Ann Taylor. Remembering when Ann was first appointed, John said,

1975 was a summer to remember. Not quite as hot as 76 but Ann Taylor was elected by fellow councillors to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Vic Trevor, on 16th July.
Looking at the minutes for this meeting we might in some ways think that times have not changed much. Heavy goods vehicles through the parish were discussed, and overhanging obstructions to a footpath. The proposed amended route for the new bypass was an agenda item ­- this was an earlier version, which of course never got anywhere. What was different was the precept for £800, and the clerk’s salary was increased to £170 per annum.
Ann has served this Parish since that time, with the exception of 3 years holiday due to a moment’s forgetfulness. Ann became my vice-chairman in 1992 and took over the chair in 1997 to see through the building of the bypass and its opening in 2003.

John concluded by thanking Ann on behalf of the Council for her tireless dedication to Hodnet, and presented her with a plant as a memento in recognition of her long service.

John Powell presents Ann Taylor with a plant in recognition of her service on the Parish Council
John Powell presents Ann Taylor with a plant