Cookham clerk leaves for pastures new (From Bucks Free Press)

Cookham clerk leaves for pastures new

11:37am Thursday 28th January 2010 in

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AFTER seven-and-a-half years at the heart of the Cookham community the woman that makes the village tick is departing for pastures new.

Cookham Parish Council clerk Janet Wheeler is leaving her post to become Amersham Town Council clerk in March.

Janet has become a well known face in her time and is often stopped in the street by householders.

She said through the years her office had become the “hub of the community”.

Janet, who used to be a freelance copywriter before becoming clerk, said: “I'm tremendously excited, it's going to be a huge challenge. It will be a very different kind of job, much bigger but I'll be very sad to leave Cookham.

“It's a place I feel passionate bout and will continue to be interested in the affairs of the village.”

She added: “I will miss all the camaraderie with all the councillors.”

Janet, who will still live in the village, said increasing the numbers of residents attending meetings was one of her biggest achievements.

Janet will still be involved in the village design statement, which will provide a framework for future development and help protect listed buildings and key characteristics of the village which have been identified by residents.

She said the biggest task for the next clerk is helping create emergency plans for flooding, while also working towards obtaining quality status – which gives parishes more powers.

Cllr Derek Fry, the council chairman, said he was “disappointed and sorry to see her go” but pleased for her new role.

“Janet has done very well, she has kept a busy parish one step ahead of the game,” she said.