C.T. (Tom) Wareing and his family – then consisting of his wife Beryl and two small sons, moved to Redditch on the 17th January 1956. Then an R.S.M. in the part-time forces and lecturer in building and supervisory studies at Bromsgrove College of Further Education, he immediately became involved with the Worcestershire Army Cadet Force; becoming a lieutenant in the T.A. and O.C. of Redditch Battery, 4th Worcestershire Cadet Regiment. The Wareings now have four sons, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Tom and Beryl are members of Redditch Corps of the Salvation Army.

Tom’s first public appointment was to the governing body of Dingleside Middle School in 1970, since when he has served as chairman of the governing body. He has also served as a college, high school and first school governor. C.T. Wareing was elected to Redditch Urban District Council in 1972, followed by election too in 1973, to Hereford & Worcester County Council; serving with short breaks since on Redditch Borough Council and since 1997 on Worcestershire County Council, retiring in 2005. This book is an account of the very busy years on the W.C.C..