It is with great sadness that we report the death of a local hero, Jack Hill late of 12 Riverside Close. His daughter, Rebecca, said he passed away last Thursday evening (20th April) in Watford hospital. He was 96 and had a long and eventful life and his family were happy that he was ready to go.
His background was in architecture dealing with projects all over the world, but to us he was the local eco warrior. Many of you will have known him as the litter picking man – always in shorts whatever the weather – going round on his buggy. He also joined in planting daffodils for many years and helped look after the willow tunnel in the Nunnery greenspace. As one of the early members of the SRA committee, he was very outspoken on local matters dear to his heart. He hated injustice and incompetence and had frequent correspondence with various members of the district and county councils complaining about various local concerns. Another long-standing committee member, Mark James described him as “a great wit, and a bit of a stirrer, ask the planning department!” We called him an old curmudgeon but he never minded. He was a vital member of the annual litter picking team and made sure that the litter was always separated into recyclable and non-recyclable bags. Woe betide us if it wasn’t!
We will remember him with great fondness and will miss him greatly, especially his delicious rock cakes at the AGMs!
Sandy Norman and the SRA Committee