Loss of village stalwart Tony (From Halstead Gazette)

Loss of village stalwart Tony

11:26pm Saturday 20th September 2008

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Tributes have been paid to a village stalwart, parish councillor and school governor.

Tony Bedding, of Shalford, died at the age of 71 and a service of thanksgiving for his life was held at the village’s St Andrew’s Church.

Mr Bedding, who was married to Shirley and had two children, Sue and Graham, had two younger brothers and after wartime evacuation from Essex to Cornwall, they returned and were all educated at Brentwood School.

He was employed by the Ford Motor Company, awarded a Ford Trust scholarship and studied for a degree in mechanical engineering. In 1982, Mr Bedding and his family moved to Shalford. He lectured at what became the University of East London.

After retiring in 1997, he put his DIY talents to work on various home improvement schemes and his love of gardening resulted in a best-kept garden award. He also became involved in community life.

Brenda Hanley, the Halstead Gazette’s Shalford correspondent, said: “Tony served as a Shalford school governor, where his first-hand knowledge of, and interest in, education, was most valuable.

“Later, having been invited on to the village hall management committee, he played a major role in preparing, submitting and procuring a valuable lottery grant for the village hall, which enabled some of the much-needed remedial work to be done.

“Again, Tony’s vast practical building experience was invaluable. He not only supervised, but also carried out to his exacting high standards, much of the work.

“Later, Tony brought his varied skills on to the parish council. Here his wide knowledge of many aspects of village life were valued, and this was a role Tony particularly enjoyed and from which he was sadly forced to retire through ill-health.

“With Shirley, Tony was much involved with the Shalford Horticultural Society and the Friends of St Andrew’s Church.”

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