Doing ‘that little bit extra’ earned Whitnash man top honour

Former Whitnash mayor David Stocks was made a freeman of the town at the council’s annual meeting last week.

The title has only been awarded twice before, to former councillor Mick Morris and to Cllr Bernard Kirton.

Originally from Lillington, Mr Stocks moved to Whitnash in 1961, aged 21. He first became involved in town life when his late wife Vera joined the PTA at Briar Hill Infant School, where their daughters Susan and Julie were at school.

Alongside a career at British Telecom, Mr Stocks served the school for 21 years as governor, became involved in the town’s fun day and twinning association and helped organise the Queen’s silver jubilee celebration.

He helped organise the town’s bonfire night celebrations for many years and still visits a Whitnash school as Santa Claus every Christmas.

Mr Stocks was asked to join Whitnash town council in 1979, serving as mayor in 1998 and 2009, and during his first year as mayor he suggested installing flower beds and hanging baskets around the town.

Now 73, he stood down as a town councillor in May but thanked his family and everyone who had worked with him over the years.

He said: “I’m one of those people who like to know what’s going on, I don’t just sit in the house and shut the door. I’ve always been a doer, I suppose.

“I wanted to make Whitnash a more pleasant place to live and I hope I’ve helped the school achieve what it has.”

The title of freeman can only be awarded by the town’s mayor. Cllr Judy Falp, who was appointed at the same meeting, explained why she felt Mr Stocks deserved the honour.

Paying tribute to the kindness and support Mr Stocks and his wife had shown her, Cllr Falp recalled how Mr Stocks had grown many of the plants and flowers at the town’s flower beds himself.

She said: “It’s not an honour we give lightly.

“He’s always done that little bit extra. That’s what makes him David Stocks.”