Parish Cake - Winter 2019

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Stepping Down After Nine Years
Due to health and family commitments, Bridget Veitch has stepped down as a councillor after
nine years on the parish council and over four as chairman. As told to Trisha Fermor
I HAVE always been community
minded coming from a vicar’s
family, as both my father and
grandfather were vicars.
I had no idea of the breadth
and depth of the work and
projects that the parish council
gets involved in so I thought
it would be a small-time
commitment. I was mistaken,
as I became really interested in
everything that was going on.
I have hugely enjoyed the
knowledge I have gained about
Cranbrook and Sissinghurst,
its landscape, its history and
the excellent people I have met
during my years on the parish
council.
The roles of chairman and the
role of the parish council have
evolved and changed over the
nine years, due to the increasing
devolution and responsibilities
of the parish council and the
number of major projects
we are taking on. The most
obvious ones are the community
centre and the Neighbourhood
Development Plan.
I got involved in the future
of the car parks a year after I
joined the council. The then
chairman Peter North
asked me to write a
business plan for us
taking over the car
parks, to sidestep
the plans that
Tunbridge Wells
Borough Council
had for charging
for parking. We took
over responsibility of
the Regal, the Tanyard and
Jockey Lane car parks in August
2013 ensuring parking remained
free at the point of usage.
Ratepayers are now paying
for the maintenance and the
business rates. The Regal and
Tanyard car parks could be given
back to Tunbridge Wells and
parking charges could be applied
if the parish council chooses to
do so in the future.
In 2014 the parish council
took on responsibility for the
community centre project. I
knew the project had a difficult
history but I was asked to take it
on, so I did. Five and a half years
later the end is still uncertain at
the time of writing. It is a bit like
Brexit.
I remain convinced we would
benefit from a focal point for the
community on such a central
location as Wilkes Field in
Cranbrook.
I have been impressed by
the breadth of knowledge and
experience of the members of
the parish council and their
willingness to contribute to the
life of the community.
I don’t believe that everyone
really appreciates how much the
parish councillors generously
give of their time and
commitment. I wish to express
my personal sincere and grateful
thanks to them, and to the clerks
who provide so much support.
There are also many other
people who give of their time
to put on events that we all
enjoy, such as the Apple Fair,
Cranbrook in Bloom, the Art
Show, Literature Festival, CODS
and the Sissinghurst Fete, to
name just a few. There are, of
course, also the volunteers that
look after the popular Museum
and Windmill, and the various
sports clubs. These are the
people who make the life of
the community and should be
applauded.
Although my spell on the
parish council has come to
an end I am sure there will be
occasions that arise for me
to participate in community
activities.
I wish the parish council every
success in its current and future
projects and initiatives.
Parish Cake • Winter 2019 7