The morning of Monday January 18 found many of the farmyards of Eggington and the surrounding area quiet as the farmers attended the funeral of Leighton Buzzard man Pete Woolhead. If you had pigeons or rabbits eating your crops or a fox taking your chickens, Pete was the man you rang and he soon had the job sorted. All his life Pete had been a shooting and fishing man and no one was more skilled at either. Now retired, but not for long enough, Pete had worked at famous Leighton Buzzard firm Boss Trucks for many years as low loader driver and fork lift demonstrator. He travelled the length and breadth of the country in his immaculately turned out rig.

Pete played an important part in the success of the company because, apart from his skilful demonstrating, if a truck design wasn't right Pete, in his no nonsense way, made sure the fact was known and things got changed.

Trevor and Neville Bowman Shaw, the original owners and creators of Boss Trucks, along with family, army pals, work mates, farmers and many friends, were part of the funeral congregation that filled All Saints and then the Star in Heath Road to say cheerio to Pete.

As a by the by, as the last of congregation arrived at All Saints, a fox came out of some cover at the edge of the churchyard, paused calmly to look at the late-comers and then gazed long into the open church door before trotting off alongside the churchyard wall. Make of it what you may.

A far less inspiring event was Eggington Parish Council meeting on the same evening. The clerk, the chairman, four councillors, Central Beds councillors Norman Costin and Nicols and two villagers, sat hunched in their coats in the village hall to hear of rising crime rates, ungritted roads and uncollected rubbish.

Councillor Nicols was roundly thanked for arranging the gritting of the village road in the recent snow and ice conditions to make possible the access of the milk collection tanker to Manor Farm. It saved the day as one day's collection had already been missed and dairy farmer Richard Sear was on the verge of having to cry over spilt milk.

It all ended happily as his problem was overcome with true grit.
Mr Nicols and Mr Costin announced that they were holding a surgery in Toddington Library on Feb 6 and April 24.

Mr Nicols gave a report on the latest position regarding the local development and transport issues and Central Beds' future problems with waste management.

The chairman  said that there was not enough provision for housing for the over 65s on the proposed LB Eastern development. Mr Nicols replied that the parish council had approved the proposed development design plan which did contain flexibility.

The accounts were read and approved and planning was dealt with. There were only two planning matters; consent had been granted for work at Claridges and there was an application for internal repairs to Manor Farm. The chairman reported at length on various correspondence and meetings he had attended.

Councillor Sue Bradley gave a presentation on the newly completed Parish Plan questionnaire and the councillors all received a copy to road test before it is launched on the parishioners.

It was only when the chairman asked Councillor David Chapman if he had tendered his written resignation that his fellow councillors learnt of his and his wife Angela's move from the village after over 30 years.

It was disappointing that no official recognition was made to thank Mr Chapman on behalf of the parish for the  many years of service and expertise he has given, attending council meetings and many outside meetings. On behalf of the village may I do so here and wish David and Angela a long, happy and healthy retirement in Scotland.