OKEHAMPTON Hamlets Parish Council has said goodbye to its long-standing councillor Dudley Luxton, who served 34 years on the council.

Dudley, who has been a parish councilor for more than three decades, has served as both the chairman and vice chairman.

During the Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council Annual Assembly, Dudley was thanked for all his hard work over those years. He was presented with two walking sticks, which had been hand made by the current council chairman Derek Webber.

He was co-opted to the council at a meeting held on March 17, 1983. At the time there were two vacancies as two councillors had resigned.

No by-election was called following these resignations so the vacancies were filled by co-option— one of which was by Dudley and the other was filled by Ken Heard.

Following Dudley’s resignation, the council has welcomed new councillor Brian Wood. Brian moved to Okehampton last year from Kent, previously served on Harrietsham Parish Council, and also served 12 years as a Kent County Councillor. He served terms on Dartford Borough Council, the Kent and Medway Towns Fire Authority and also Kent Police Authority. 

Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council Clerk, Jane Gillard said: ‘He brings a lot of experience and knowledge with him and is now getting involved in local community by joining the parish council and other local organisations.’