A Tribute to Professor Robert T Bottle
It is with deep regret that we record the Parish Council's great loss and sadness at the passing of our Chairman on March 8th, 1996. Despite his illness he continued to give freely of his time and energy on matters affecting village life.
Everyone knows that Bob was the driving force behind the Parish Council's opposition to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link cutting through our parish. When the worst occurred and the outline route was confirmed, Bob spearheaded our efforts, together with other organisations, to make sure the line does as little damage as possible to our environment. Last July, against all odds, he was instrumental in securing an official acceptance of the fact that we needed tunnel cover for the line as it passes through the village. This, however, was not to be, but there will be SOME tunnel. That is due to Bob's dogged determination and the skill with which he presented our case at all levels up to and including the House of Commons.
Subsequently he guided our thoughts and debated with us the pros and cons of the Council's present concern - gaining adequate landscaping along the parish's stretch of the Len Valley to hide the railway from view as much as possible.
Bob, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps, was a member of the Council since 1976, its Chairman 1976-77, Vice Chairman 1985-86 and 1991-94, and again Chairman since 1994. Throughout these years his specialist technical knowledge has been invaluable. Most recently he guided the Council on the action required to minimise the algae problem on the lake at Woodlands Walk.
On a grander scale, he applied much time and effort calculating past, present and future noise intrusions on the village due to the surrounding A20, M20, SE railway and future CTRL. All aimed at preserving as much as possible the village where he was born.
In this regard his stance on building development in the parish was clear cut. The "village envelope" which he did much to establish, was sacrosanct. It required a very persuasive argument for him to support any building outside its boundaries. He, together with the rest of the Parish Council, was always determined to shield the village from the ravages of poorly conceived development and yet at same time not to isolate the village such that it stagnated and lost its viability.
As one of the custodians of the Council's finances as he ensured value for money. He took pride in keeping Harrietsham Parish Council's precept (tax) the lowest in the Maidstone Borough District, yet at the same time properly maintaining the Council's responsibilities to the community.
The Council will honour Bob by carrying forward his influence upon our work, especially those issues which were most dear to his heart.
Harrietsham Parish Council