23rd June 2022

Mid Sussex Labour honours David Chalkley for his “sustained, effective service” to the Constituency Party

David Chalkley has been awarded its prestigious “Paddy Prize” by Mid Sussex Constituency Labour Party (CLP) at a special “farewell and thank you” gathering of members from its three branches, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath, at the Top House community pub, Burgess Hill.

Chair Pam Haigh, presenting the framed certificate, which is awarded for “sustained, effective service” to the CLP, commended David for his tireless, selfless and successful work, including 11 years as its highly efficient Secretary, organising campaigns in and between local and Parliamentary elections. This had been in addition to his equally invaluable work for the Burgess Hill branch for over 30 years.

Richard Goddard, former District Councillor and Haywards Heath Mayor, paid tribute to the sincere respect in which David has been held, not only by Labour activists and their political opponents locally, but also for his professional work for the TSSA rail union and more widely in the Mid Sussex community.

David, thanking his wife Susan and party colleagues for their strong support and encouragement, said, “Following years of team effort, I was especially proud and delighted to have organised the campaigns in which two Burgess Hill town councillors were elected, including, in my own ward, David Andrews, who remains active in Mid Sussex politics”.

David and his wife Susan, who received a bouquet, were also given a pear tree sapling by Mid Sussex colleagues for their new garden in Melksham, Wiltshire, after their move from Burgess Hill later this month.

The Paddy Prize was set up in 2011 as a memorial to Paddy Henry MBE, who represented Labour on the District and Haywards Heath Town Councils for nearly 20 years. David follows only two previous recipients of the award, Philip Parkhurst and Richard Goddard.