Clerk is one of the best (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Clerk is one of the best

11:30am Friday 27th July 2012 in Letters

Sir.–We were surprised to learn of the apparent difficulties the former chairman of Kingsclere Parish Council claimed to be having in working with our parish clerk, Mrs Sheila Thompson.

Sheila is arguably the best parish clerk in Hampshire and would be a worthy candidate as UK Parish Clerk of the Year.

Since taking office she has become formally qualified as a parish clerk and with her already excellent office management skills she has served this community well.

She has worked tirelessly for our benefit and personally pursued a number of projects, such as the Holding Field improvements and the replacement of the bridges over the ‘Lake’ which have enhanced Kingsclere, as well as obtaining Quality Council status for our parish council with its associated benefits.

Three former chairmen who have worked with her all have the highest praise for her commonsense, wisdom and enthusiasm and her ability to work in co-operation with the whole parish council. We are at a loss to understand why the recently retired chairman could have any difficulties.

Mrs Thompson has had a long illness. Her absence from our parish office has been very evident by the lack of day-to-day management of Kingsclere. Thankfully, she has now returned to full health.

–Janet Bond (former parish councillor), Alan Denness (former chairman), Peter Goff (former chairman), Fiona Sawyer (former assistant clerk), Sue Woodman (former parish clerk), Peter Woodman (former chairman) and 47 other residents of Kingsclere.