THE Farnham Society has paid tribute to a retiring member of its committee who has scrutinised an estimated seven to eight thousand planning applications on behalf of the town over many years.
Vice-chairman Bill Tichener was honoured at a special lunch hosted by president Sir Ray Tindle last Friday.
The guest of honour and his daughter Katherine Hedgman were joined by almost the entire Farnham Society committee including chairman Max Lyons, Michael Blower, Ronnie Broughton, Ann Thurston, Sue Drinkwater, Simon Bradbury, Maureen Briggs, Michael Clements, Gloria Dyche, David Griffiths, Michael Langdon, Mike Murphy and Bob Stevens.
"Over the years the Farnham Society, which has done great work for Farnham, has had some really remarkable chairmen and vice-chairmen, and Bill ranks among the very best," said Sir Ray.
"He has undertaken many enormous tasks during his 18 years as a committee member and vice-chairman."
Mr Tichener recalled that he was first co-opted onto the Farnham Society committee in 1984 to represent the Bourne, being chairman of the Bourne Residents' Association at the time.
It was the year in which Farnham's first town council was elected and the entire Farnham Society committee, apart from himself, stood as independent candidates. They were all elected, bar one.
His own role was to build up the Farnham Society's planning function and since then he has been a stalwart of the rota that scrutinises new planning applications.
Although a retired chartered accountant with no formal planning background, he famously defended Farnham's river meadows south of the Alton Road from mineral workings at a long and complex public inquiry in the' 90s.
He was to perform the same role at two inquiries into Barratt Homes' plans to develop the Park School site, with the result that the site in now providing play and leisure opportunities for youngsters under Disability Challengers.
"I think the town owes him a great debt and so does the Farnham Society. His perseverance over the years has been phenomenal," said Max Lyons.
"I think there is no question that the Farnham Society over the years has played a very large part in ensuring that the character of Farnham has been maintained - and long may it continue," said Mr Tichener.