Today, Cllr Kathy Pearce was chairing a meeting of the Town Council’s Environment Working Party to consider proposals to give a boost to Town Centre cleaning. One of the key men in the know and in the room was cleaning operative John Parker, one of Sedgemoor District Council’s longest serving employees clocking up a magnificent forty years today, December 12th.
Cllr Pearce (Town Council Deputy Leader) said “Suddenly it was like ‘This is Your Life’ as SDC Chairman Mike Cresswell appeared out of the blue and presented John with a long service award. And well deserved it is too!”
John Parker started working for Sedgemoor on 12th December 1977 and has been a familiar face around Bridgwater, where he has been keeping the town spic and span for four decades.
Tireless Work
Town Councillor for Fairfax East and currently the Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, Councillor Mike Cresswell, said ‘This is one of the nicest jobs I have had to do as Chairman. John is well-known around the town and always has a kind word and a smile for everyone. We all owe him thanks for his tireless work, not only in Bridgwater but with his colleagues in Clean Surroundings. Thank you John!”
Town Council Tribute
Alan Hurford (Bridgwater Town Clerk) also paid tribute to John Parker and presented him with a Bridgwater Town Council tie “… in recognition of 40 years on our streets and his support of the town council.”
Once the surprise ceremony was over, Cllr Pearce got back down to work thrashing out a new deal for town centre cleaning and toilet provision which could see greater used of the famous ‘green machine’ and a new ‘community toilet scheme’ investigated. Outcomes will be considered in the January budget round.