At this year’s Annual Statutory Meeting, councillors bade farewell to Simon Plater, Tollesbury Parish Council’s longest serving Chair. Simon devoted 28 years to the Parish Council, and an incredible 25 years as Chair. Councillors were united in showing their appreciation for all he has done for the village over the last quarter of a century, but agreed, he’d served his ‘sentence’! Amongst his farewell gifts, a rose specifically chosen because of its apt name: ‘Super Trouper’!
As a community, we have much to thank Simon for over his many years of service. Many of you will be unaware that Simon was instrumental in saving Woodup Pool from closure, early in his appointment, when Maldon District Council succumbed to pressure and closed the Prom bathing lake following a fatal accident. He worked tirelessly to find a way to ensure Woodup Pool didn’t suffer the same fate.
Simon continues to support the work of the council and its councillors. He has always been on hand to develop and encourage new councillors; the reason we have such a good retention record and such a broad mix of ages making up the council. It was Simon who was instrumental in encouraging our first ever female vice-chair, now Chair, to step up and it is thanks to him that we now have our first ever female duo of Chair (Sarah Hawes) and Vice-chair (Caroline Page) heading up the team of councillors.
So, the start of a new chapter as we see more history in the making!
