Continued from front page

At the age of five Ted was sent to West End School and in 1926 he won a scholarship to Barton Peveril Grammar School. In 1931 he passed the School Certificate Examination, London Matriculation and had obtained a place at Southampton University, but he did not take it up as he decided to stay in agriculture.

In June 1939 Ted married Betty Rothwell from Bursledon. Then in September of that year the war began, it was then that he endeavoured to produce the maximum amount of food. He was fairly successful, never graded below 'A' by the Hants Agriculture Committee, in 1942 he grew what was officially rated the best crop of sugar beet in the South, while in 1944 it was the best apple crop in Hampshire.
Ted's war service was the Home Guard, very much like 'Dad's Army'.

It was during the 50's that Ted started to take more interest in local affairs.
In 1955 he was asked to stand for Parish Council and was elected as an Independent. This led to further involvement in village affairs.  Ted was treasurer to The Hungarian Relief Fund founded in 1956. He was vice chairman of West End Cricket Club which was reformed in 1957 and secretary to The Freedom from Hunger Campaign in 1963.
It was then that he started the West End News being the publicity officer and editor. This was handed over to the West End Community Association, who were raising funds for a new community hall. He was also a member of the Carnival Committee, which was revived in 1966. Both of these organizations he was actively involved with until his death.

Ted died in August 1978 and is buried in the old cemetery.

( Item written for Westender by Barry Topp )

WEST END PARISH COUNCILLORS LATE 1950's (Ted Topp centre back row)