David Penny Memorial Fund

Following David’s funeral, there have been a number of suggestions to create a lasting memorial to him centred on trees; already several hundred pounds have been donated. Some of us felt that there was a need to pull all the ideas together so that the community and the many friends and colleagues of David could contribute to a project agreed by his family. As a result, a small group has been formed with representation from David’s family, Thames Street residents, the Scarecrow Committee, the Parish Council, the Produce Show Committee and the Berkshire College of Agriculture, where David was Head of Horticulture. Malcolm Stansfield has kindly agreed to be chairman of the group.

Money has already been donated by Thames Street residents to plant a “noble and upright” tree in the vicinity of Thames Street and the Parish Council has offered the area in front of the Great House beside the river. The planting of this special Thames Street resident’s tree will take place in the autumn.

As a councillor, David had for some months been working enthusiastically on a major Sonning tree planting project to redress the loss of trees in the parish due to age, disease, housing development, etc. The major element of this project is the planting of a substantial avenue of Plane trees beside the A4 from Hawthorne Way to the Wee Waif roundabout on the University Farm side of the road. In David’s own words “it is an opportunity to do something for the benefit of future generations”. This will require the agreement of the Borough Council with whom discussions are taking place. This avenue would be a wonderful memorial to David and one which Catherine would dearly wish to see realised. This group will do its utmost to achieve this objective.

In order to benefit from tax relief, donations need to be made to a registered charity. The Charity Commission recommends where possible the use of an existing charity. The Sonning Fire Brigade Trust exists to benefit the residents of the Parish of Sonning and the Trustees have agreed for it to be considered for this purpose.

If you wish to contribute to this important tree regeneration project in memory of David, then please send your donation to the memorial group treasurer, Mrs Mo Hicks at Sonning House, Pearson Road, Sonning, RG4 6UL.

Cheques should be made payable to “The Sonning Volunteer Fire Brigade Trust”. If you are a U.K. taxpayer please enclose a signed note stating that it is a Gift Aid donation together with your full name, address and donation date. This will enable the Trust to reclaim the tax on your donation.

Thank you.