A rare dedication and devotion to duty

A GENTLE, caring man armed with a billhook, shovel and barrow - and lashings of love for his village - was an inspiration behind one of the most influential figures in Herefordshire local government in living memory.

Eunice Saunders looked on with admiration as her father, Bill Ballinger, worked tirelessly to help make Weston-under-Penyard Herefordshire's best kept village. But it was not all prettying of paths. There was dirty work - clearing drains and ditches - done with dedication, too.

It was this devotion to duty and the feeling of well-being that a community pulling together brings that fired Eunice Saunders' enthusiasm for council work for well over three decades.

The roadman's daughter represented thousands of people, including locally powerful knights of the realm, gentry galore, captains of industry and military leaders. As Bill Ballinger had done, she treated everyone the same and expected that respect in return.

The loss of her seat on Herefordshire Council in the recent election shook Eunice, but she recalls her father's never-say-die attitude and says: "All is not lost."

The man who cared for the long stretch of road between Hildersley and Ryeford had sound advice for his daughter when problems mounted on the highway of life.

"Don't worry, my girl. Follow your conscience. It's a long road without a turning," he said - and he had the right to proffer such advice after a personal journey that was long and often hard. When he died his hand was locked in the grip he had used on his hook for well over 40 years.

It was in 1967 that Eunice was stopped in a Ross-on-Wye street by Harold Parker, who ran a shop and bakery at Pontshill. He persuaded her to sign a form there and then to stand for Hope Mansell in an imminent election.

The spur of the moment decision led to a long career on Ross and Whitchurch Rural Council, South Herefordshire Council - she was its first woman chairman - Hereford and Worcester Council and Herefordshire Council.

Eunice has cared deeply about highway improvements and spurring her on has been the memory of that dreadful day in 1951 when her 13-year-old sister, Joyce, was killed in a road accident. After many a battle years later the bereaved, big sister saw to it that School Lane was made a safer place.

The strengthening of Hoarwithy Bridge and Ross Relief Road were among her other success stories.

She is immensely proud that during her time as a Hereford and Worcester councillor she was the only member to have had major work carried out on every school in her 'patch'.

Eunice unashamedly admits badgering other councillors and officers for the re-modelling of Gorsley Goffs School and can still recall their faces when she headed in their direction armed with photographs of decaying buildings.

Lea, Weston, Walford and 'little Kings Caple' have benefited, too, and she was delighted when many an outside toilet and their icicles became nothing but a chilling memory.

She played her part in the creation of Woodside Home for the elderly at Ross and the naming of the road Eunice Saunders Way and the Lea housing development Saunders Close speak for themselves. She will always remember the first tenant at the latter, a lady whose husband was wheelchair-bound, declaring: "This is our Heaven!"

She co-ordinated the community spirit that impressed water board supremo Bill Austin and led to mains water arriving at Dancing Green and Lea Bailey. And the then burgeoning, now flourishing, contractor's business Freeman's charged just half-a-crown a yard for the soft digging.

Eunice is admired by many but regarded as notorious by some for her fervent desire to deal direct with the decision-makers. She would ring all and sundry to get her way and says: "It's no good sitting on fantasy island - you have to face up to reality."

She is non-committal about whether she will try to return to Herefordshire Council but is delighted that, as always, her husband of over 50 years, Bill, will back her decision.

"If you want to - do it," he told her.

Fond memories

EUNICE Saunders has fond memories of the many council colleagues and officers who helped her over the decades. "There are too many to mention them all by name," she says.

First in her roll of honour is the late Brigadier Archer Clive, of Perrystone. "He was so experienced in council work and a gentleman. I learned a lot from him and our friendship lasted right up until his death."

Up there, too, is Bernard Hackett, of Bridstow, who chaired Ross and Whitchurch Council for many years and CF Huntley, of Linton - "a character who taught me that at times it was wise to go steady".

She and Ross's Joyce Thomas were often allies, but she admits they didn't always agree. "But when that happened it was a case of 'forget about it now - tomorrow is another day'."

And also at Ross there was Sam Burrows. "I had a lot of time for old Sammy - we worked together to get the council depot on the Ashburton site."

Genuine respect is felt for numerous officers past and present. She rates Herefordshire Council's chief executive Neil Pringle highly and says she will never forget his initial rallying call and the way he has achieved the 'mammoth task' of bringing everyone together. She is also a fan of education chief Eddie Oram and his staff.

Open door

She says she is 'so proud' of Peter Harling and his chairmanship of the council. "He always listens."

And her praise for Terry James is deep and genuine. "Taking the politics out of it, we have had a magnificent leader in Terry James. We had good leaders on Hereford and Worcester Council, but never one like him. He is so intelligent and although there is all this talk about cabinet secrecy I always found his door open."

Having her own way....

THIS sign could reflect some people's views about Eunice Saunders' determination to always get her way!

But it actually refers to a road linking Dancing Green and Bailey Lane End.

She fought hard to see what was once a track through Forestry Commission land upgraded and was delighted in 2000 when she and Ross council colleague Joyce Thomas unveiled the sign.

Inspired by dad Bill

BILL Ballinger - a dedicated servant to his spick and span village and a symbol of a close community.

And an inspiration to his daughter.

Bill was so much loved in the community that he could have had a 'cuppa' every 100 yards, but he always declined unless it was his 'break' because, as he would declare, 'time is time'.

When Bill was made redundant there were tears - from the surveyor who had to break the news to the dedicated roadman.

Bill and his son Dennis were council employees for a total of 85 years and that sum together with Eunice's record of council work means the Ballingers put in a combined 120 years of public service.

Served on FA council

EUNICE Saunders is unashamed that she once was the subject of a clergyman's remonstration over 'shouting my head off' while watching a football match at Mordiford.

She is soccer mad and so are her sons.

Back in 1982 she ended 89 years of male dominance when elected to the Herefordshire Football Association's full council.

She was the first woman to win a place on the council since the association was formed in 1893.