Tony quits after 50 years

He was first elected to the council in 1963 and held office continuously for over 50 years. In 1988, he was elected chairman and led the council for the next 25 years.

During his time on the council, Tony has seen its duties under constant change, become more complex and demand more and more of his time, which he always gave without hesitation.

Tony’s unstinting service on behalf of us all has been exceptional and exemplary. The effect Tony has had on Ilmington can be seen across the village.

He has left his mark on the village landscape by instigating the planting of many trees and shrubs. Most notably were the planting of 100 Oak trees throughout the parish at the time of the turn of the millennium.

These lovely specimens are now of some size and stand as a wonderful legacy of Tony’s stewardship. His steering of Ilmington’s Parish Plan helped ensure the building of the houses on the Armscote Road — appropriately named Wilkins Way. T

hey are a permanent testament to his contribution to our community. Thank you Tony for all the time, energy and dedication you have given to Ilmington over the years. We are forever grateful and wish you well in your retirement from the parish council.

The 83-year-old retired farmer, a lifelong resident of the village, told the Herald this week he felt he had “done his bit” — even cleaning up leaves, and sweeping gullies and footpaths when necessary. But he admitted it was a disagreement over the council’s desire to cut down two remaining Leylandii trees he had planted many years ago that has led to him retire. “It was the final straw for me, I do not want them to be cut down.” S

peaking about his years on the council, he added: “I was hands-on and it took up quite a bit of my time. I suffer from macular degeneration, so it’s become difficult for me to read the council documents. I can’t do e-mails either because I can see the print on screen, so it’s time for someone else.

Of the road named after him, Tony, who seems to be rather outspoken, added: “It was sprung on me at a council meeting. My first reaction was: ‘no way’.

“It’s not that I don’t like the development, it’s a good one, but I didn’t agree with the way the houses were allocated.

“But it’s a great village to live in, unique is some sense because of the road going all the way around it, with little lanes running off it.”