It is with the greatest sorrow that Hook Parish Council records the death of its long serving Parish Clerk, David Deadman, on April 18th 2001.
Dave’s friends, family and colleagues packed St John’s church on April 27th for a very moving service to celebrate Dave’s life and interests and to pay tribute to his many achievements.
Dave had been Parish Clerk for over thirty years and had been guide, mentor and friend to generations of Parish Councillors, always giving freely of his time and energies to enhance the Hook community. Both the village and the council have gained hugely over the years from Dave’s efforts and his vast experience, whilst council meetings have been enriched by his efficiency, common sense and a wonderfully dry sense of humour.
Many a Hook village project started because Dave spotted some possibility of funding available, or a change in the law which could be exploited for the good of our community. Many more successes were achieved because he simply wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. He was a good friend to the village and its people and a tireless worker, whose loss will be keenly felt.
The Chairman of Hart District Council presented Dave with an Award of Merit at a ceremony in March, in recognition of his many years of outstanding community service.
Tragically, the cancer which took Dave’s life deprived both him and us of his ambition to devote himself to Hook full-time following his retirement from his “day job” at Hart District Council last February. Our sincerest sympathies go to his wife Valerie and their family at this very sad time.
Hook is the richer for his presence in its past, its future will be diminished by his absence.