Bratton councillor, 92, calls it a day
2:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Latest News
Bratton historian, poet and teacher Kathleen White, 92, has resigned after 30 years on the parish council.
Mrs White, who still lives in the Imber Road house where she grew up, spent 14 years as the council’s chairman and was also made a freeman of the village.
She was elected to the council in 1982, after several years as town clerk, a role she took on as something to do after retiring from teaching in 1970.
She said: “I was paid about £70 a year for that; quite a bit less than they get now.
“I went on to become a councillor, as I wanted to help local people, and it was a very enjoyable job.
“I always saw my role as a councillor as being elected by the people, for the people.
“Since I said I was retiring, I’ve had people coming up and saying, ‘Oh no, now I won’t have you around to sort out this and that’, so I think I made a difference.”
Among the projects Mrs White worked on were the recreation field, play area and the Clover Grass Court housing for the elderly.
She organised the transfer of Reeves Orchard, now an award-winning nature spot, into council ownership.
She said: “One of my main memories is when the dinosaur skeleton was uncovered at the cement works, a few years ago. That was very interesting.
“I also remember that the White Horse used to be cleaned more often. I understand it will be done soon. It is looking a bit grey.
“During the war, it was covered up so the bombers could not use it to navigate.”
Mrs White was born in Bratton and went to college in Bath to train as a teacher.
She signed up for the Voluntary Aid Detachment in 1939 and was transferred to a unit monitoring veterinary instruments and medicines.
After the war, she taught English, music and natural sciences at Clarendon College, John of Gaunt, and at the former Steeple Ashton school.
She married Roy White, an interpreter from North Brad-ley, in 1950, and has two daughters, six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.
As well as being a published local historian, Mrs White writes poetry by request. One of her works featured in an anthology presented to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their wedding.
“Bratton is a very friendly place and you will often find people who leave the village come back again a few years later,” she said.
