DEREK HAWKER

Springdale Road Warden - 1981 to ????

"My word, you look all in!" - the remark which started my involvement with Broadstone Ratepayers' (later Residents') Association. It was made to a white-haired** gentleman who had just struggled to the top of my steep drive on a cold, wet, windy afternoon in 1980. "You're right", he said, "And I could do with some help". The few words which followed undoubtedly caused me to be earmarked. By 1981,1 had been persuaded tobe warden for Springdale Road.

In truth, little persuasion had been necessary because I was already very concerned about high escalation of Rates (common at that time), especially knowing that my employer, then the largest Original Equipment Manufacturer in the area (3200 employees at peak), would not be keeping salaries in step with Rates; international competition would ensure that! Also, what of Broadstone's many 'wrinklies' on fixed incomes? As! saw it, the Association was doing its best to limit unreasonable demands of local government and deserved support.

On a lighter note, I would soon be getting my first sighting of 'Rufus'. It was when doing my first distribution of newsletter and I had arrived at one of the fine old houses near the school, entered the long winding driveway and closed the gate. On first sighting, Rufus was already halfway down the driveway, travelling very fast and still accelerating. An imagined heading in a future newsletter flashed through mind -"Warden dies in action". Rufus arrived and I managed to stay upright. Much slobbering and tail-wagging followed, for Rufus was a magnificent Red Setter in his prime. His owner quickly followed and explained the 'Rufus welcome'. It was the first of many enjoyable meetings. I miss them both!

A warden has a duty to express concerns of residents on his or her 'patch'. Excessive speeds of vehicles; worn-out surfaces of roads and footpaths are typical. Sometimes a concern can be of a more personal nature. For example, before we had railings at the Lewesdon play-area, a resident took her two small granddaughters there. To her horror, she realised that dog's-mess had been transferred from foot, to slide, to backs of dresses, and even to hair! A rush homeward to baths and changes of clothes followed. A few days later, the same resident saw two dogs emerge from a parked car, close to the play area. The owner remained inside whilst his dogs 'exercised'. A comment from resident to dog-owner resulted in much colourful language and a two-finger salute. The late Peter Coles, who did so much for the Association, frequently asked me "Any two-finger salutes lately?" Possibly the incident contributed to the present railings, improved facilities for dog owners and so on. I like to think so!

(** 'White-haired' now seems to apply to me. Next?)

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