{"id":67343,"date":"2025-10-03T14:07:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T13:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=67343"},"modified":"2025-10-03T14:31:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T13:31:55","slug":"former-councillors-awarded-the-title-honorary-alderman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/former-councillors-awarded-the-title-honorary-alderman\/","title":{"rendered":"Former councillors awarded the title Honorary Alderman"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nineteen of our former councillors, who served their communities for a combined 356 years, were honoured at a ceremony in the council chamber at County Hall today (Friday).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of them had served their communities and the county with distinction, and were bestowed with the title of Honorary Alderman of the County of Devon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ceremony was conducted by the Chair of Devon County Council, Councillor Caroline Leaver who presented a Badge of Office and Commemorative Scroll to each in attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the 19 former councillors recognised one was given posthumously \u2013 Frank Letch, the former member for Crediton and recipient of an MBE for his charity and community work, passed away in April this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank\u2019s Badge of Office and Commemorative Scroll was accepted by his wife, Councillor Natalia Letch, who serves on Mid Devon District Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was the leader of the council Julian Brazil, leader of the Conservative Group Andrew Leadbetter and leader of the Green and Independent group Jaqi Hodgson and Chief Executive Donna Manson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recipients of the title of Alderman, their tenure dates and the divisions they served were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank W Letch MBE (2021-2025) Crediton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ian Lloyd Hall (2017-2025) Axminster<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Saywell (2017-2025) Torrington Rural<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alistair Dewhirst (2013-2025) Ipplepen and the Kerswells<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rufus Gilbert (2013-2025) Salcombe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George Gribble (2009-2025) Bovey Rural<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Percy Prowse (2009-2025) Duryard and Pennsylvania<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sara M Randall-Johnson (2009-2025) Broadclyst<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jerry Brook (2005-2025) Chudleigh and Teign Valley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roger Frederick Croad (2005-2025) Ivybridge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rob Hannaford (2005-2025) Exwick and St Thomas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James R Mclnnes (2005-2025) Hatherleigh and Chagford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Berry ARAgS (2001-2025) Cullompton and Bradninch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ray Radford (2001-2025) Willand and Uffculme<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Margaret Squires (2001-2005 \/ 2013-2025) Creedy, Taw and Mid Exe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeremy Owen Yabsley (2001-2025) South Molton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christine Channon (1993-2025) Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton Coastal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas J Hart (1989-1997 \/ 2001-2025) Bickleigh and Wembury<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stuart Hughes (1993-2025) Sidmouth<\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Councillor Leaver said: <\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cIt\u2019s an honour today to be able to present the title of Honorary Alderman to so many of my friends and former colleagues who I have worked with over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe contribution councillors can make in their time can be wide ranging and all of you have made a significant contribution to public life, either in terms of length of service or perhaps as a committee chair, former cabinet member or council leader.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Caroline Leaver, Chair of the Council<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":859,"featured_media":67344,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[34,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-democracy"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":67344,"title":"Copy of hero image for news website 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