Tony Molesworth

Hallmark October 1994. Congratuations to Tony Molesworth being co-opted to the Parish Council, after resignation of BrianPanter,

The following obituary was written and published in 'Hallmark' by the 'Editor' in 2018 :-

Tony was a Yorkshireman by birth, but fortunately for his southern wife, enjoyed living in the south of England and particularly in Buckinghamshire, where he was heavily involved in various activities in Princes Risborough and his home village of Loosley Row.

Tony was a keen bridge player and set up a beginners class on behalf of his local U3A as well as playing for many years at Princes Risborough Bridge Club.

Tony was the longest serving councillor on the present Parish Council, having been co-opted onto the Council in September 1994. He was a committed councillor and will be very much missed. His jottings and sense of humour were part of his character, the loss of these will certainly have an impact on our meetings in the future.

He was keenly interested in the development of the Parish and served on The Planning Sub Committee looking at all applications made within the Parish. His views on the various proposals, some good some not so good, were always welcomed and formed many a response to Wycombe District Council.

It was through this interest that Tony, in 2001, took on the Chairmanship of the Lacey Green Community Planning Group which saw the production of a 'Parish Plan' to be adopted by Wycombe District Council in 2007. When ever he went for a walk he was always keen to see what was being done and whether, or not, it fitted the 'Plan'.

Inside the shop in the Village Hall

Working with a few others in 2003 he organised support to:-

reopen the Post Office,

start a local Youth Club,

organise a Welcome Pack for new residents

and set up the Village Community Shop.

It was because of his 'hands on' involvement with the Group that he was such a valuable member of the Village Shop Committee. It is true to say that without his commitment the Shop Project may never have got off the ground. With the backing of the Village Hall Committee the shop opened in 2008 and has been running for ten years. Tony kept a close eye on the sales and was keen to analyse the results of each day's takings department by department. No mean undertaking for a shop measuring 8ft x 12ft.

Tony was a keen walker and had recently completed several walks with his U3A Walking Group and had in fact done the first leg of the Shakespeare Walk, a distance of some 8 miles, the day before he died. He could often be seen walking round the village, on a constitutional, sometimes with various notices as he was also responsible for keeping the village noticeboards up to date.

Until fairly recently he was a member of Risborough Golf Club, a sport which he took up upon retirement and only reluctantly gave up when arthritis meant that he could no longer hold a golf club which diminished his chances of a good score! And he did like to win!

Reports & Tributes by Tony Molesworth

click 2007 George Crombie retires. Tony pays tribute to George Crombie, clerk to the Parish Council