The Council recently dedicated one of its Flower Beds to the late Robert Young, a much valued and missed Village Caretaker.

Roberts widow, Alison came down in April to have a look at the bed.

The words written on the plaque are printed below the photograph.

News of a Sad Loss

On the afternoon of New Years Eve, Robert Young, one of the parish council village caretakers, suffered what is thought to have been a massive heart attack, and tragically died.

Robert was an extremely conscientious employee, and very well liked popular person around the village. His loss will be great.

At just 49 years old, Robert leaves behind a wife, six children and two very young grandchildren.

Our thoughts are with his family.

Euxton Parish Council

Village Caretaker - Bob

Robert has worked for Euxton since May 2003 and previously worked in the food industry. He has received training on the pavement sweeping machine and is regularly seen by residents on the estates around the village or on the main routes keeping them litter free and swept.

Autumn is a very busy time for the caretakers because of the leaves falling and constantly covering the pavements but Ron and Robert do an excellent job of keeping the main routes clear of build up and looking tidy.

Through the summer Robert and Ron clear back debris from the inside edges of pavements so the path of the sweeper would be easier and the pavements cleaner. They encounter a lot of overgrown hedges and trees which hinder their passage on some routes, some of which are owned by residents and so can't be cleared back by the Council. Some bushes have become so bushy and wide the sweeper can no longer reach underneath them to the pavement edges - some pavements have even become too narrow to take the sweeper down.

Another task they carry out is keeping the ginnels free from litter and where possible taking the sweeper machine down, if it fits, or regularly sweeping them by hand.