Harry Brassey retires after 50 years as a Barnack Councillor
This May sees the retirement of Harry Brassey from Barnack and Pilsgate Parish Council. Harry has been a Councillor for over 40 years having been elected to the Council in July 1978. He attended his first Council meeting in September 1978 – which is before some of the present Councillors were even born!
In the early days the minutes of the meetings were handwritten in a minute book by the Chairman. I have viewed those minutes which are stored in the archive records at Peterborough Central Library. At Harry’s first Council meeting they discussed placing a skip in the village every year to collect residents’ bulk rubbish; the installation of a play area in Pilsgate; re-assigning and re-directing local footpaths (Harry was appointed to a sub-committee to deal with this); cleaning the verges on Main Street (Harry volunteered to help with his tractor and trailer); and, finally, planting trees to replace others that had died. Forty years on the same issues are dealt with by the Parish Council on a regular basis. An examination of the minutes shows that discussions around issues such as the replacement and maintenance of trees and footpaths; the installation of playgrounds; traffic calming; and maintenance of the war memorial still dominate the agendas of our monthly meetings.
Harry decorating the Christmas tree
Harry’s total commitment and dedication to the Council’s work and the welfare of our residents has no limits. He has himself always carried out a huge amount of the tasks required to maintain and improve our villages – from installing sanitisers in the bus shelters to installing the Christmas tree in the square every year – just don’t mention his skill at operating a cherry picker!
Barnack has grown in size substantially over the last few years. Harry has recognised the need for growth but has balanced that against a commitment to ensure that the character and appeal of our villages and countryside remain. Everyone in Barnack owes Harry a huge debt of gratitude and our very best wishes go out to him for a happy retirement – although knowing Harry we are sure he won’t be able to resist offering his help and words of wisdom for many years to come! Thank you Harry.
Martin Bloom