John Stimson 1939-2022

John Stimson, the former chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) and member of Long Wittenham Parish Council, has died.  He was eighty-three and had been suffering from cancer and dementia for the last twelve months.

Mr Stimson, who lived in Westfield Road for many years, was chairman of SODC from 2000 to 2001.  A Liberal-Democrat, he was a member of the council from 1995 until 2007 representing the Clifton Hampden ward between 1995 and 2003 and Sandford from 2003.

He chaired the Licensing Committee on the council and was a member of the western area planning committee.  One of his biggest campaigns was when he championed the Didcot “Best is West” project on the western end of Didcot towards the A34.  Although not successful in preventing housing development to the north of Didcot, it achieved a reduction by almost a half of homes developed.

Mr Stimson was a member of Long Wittenham Parish Council for a number of years and also its chairman.  He resigned from the parish council in March 2009.

Former chairman of the parish council Gordon Rogers said that John Stimson was known as a “character” in village life and respected member of the community.  He added: “John was a regular customer at The Plough Inn where a wake will be held to toast his work for the community.  His company and fondness for red wine were legendary.  He will be sadly missed by many villagers.”

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2 Responses to John Stimson 1939-2022

  1. Jane May says:

    Being Parish Council Chairman is always a tricky job; John carried it out with deep enthusiasm & considerable knowledge of Local Government. As his vice-chair, I found him always helpful & encouraging.

  2. Ann Tomline says:

    Rest in Peace John
    Serving with you on the District Council was always a challenge for the opposition and many a good laugh was had over the years.At least you had always read the planning papers and attended site visits taking the responsibility we had to the electorate seriously when many didn’t which sadly we both discussed many times.
    It was a pleasure to know you

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