By Isle of Wight Observer
Sandown Town Council and Bay dignitaries have marked the retirement of Dave Smith, after 40 years of maintaining the grounds and public parks of Sandown and Shanklin.
Rev Mark Williams, of Christ Church and St Paul’s, said: “Dave has worked ceaselessly behind the scenes to ensure the public realm has been maintained to the high standards that it has, and he will be much missed.”
IW Royal British Legion (RBL) President, Ian Ward, also paid tribute to Dave’s hard work including the upkeep of local war graves. He said: “Dave’s dad also worked in the Bay for 50 years, so the family have very much been a part of the local estate. The RBL are particularly grateful of the care and attention Dave has given over the years to the military graves in local cemeteries.”
In addition to gifts from Sandown Town Council, Dave received a commemorative plaque, and a picture of him as a member of the ‘Keystone Kops’ carnival fund-raising team from the 1970s.
