RETIRED teacher Cllr Ken Williams was elected mayor of West Devon following a meeting of the borough council in Okehampton last week. Cllr Williams, who was deputy mayor, takes on the role following the death of Cllr Peter Hill last month. A councillor for just over three years, Cllr Williams represents the Okehampton West ward. A former Okehampton Grammar School pupil, he went on to become Head of English at Okehampton School during the 1970s and 1980s. He also spent a period serving as a police officer in Torquay in the 1960s before returning to the classroom. Cllr Margaret Garton, proposing Cllr Williams as mayor of West Devon said he was a man blessed with a ?wicked sense of humour? but also praised the kindness and support he had given to Cllr Hill in carrying out his duties in the last weeks of his life. She said she believed Cllr Williams would be a ?fine ambassador for the council?. Cllr James McInnes seconding the proposal, said Cllr Williams had the unique ability to walk into a room and get everyone laughing, which relaxed people and put them at ease. He said this skill could prove particularly effective when councillors were involved in a heated debate on a difficult topic, as it allowed a chance for reflection. Cllr Williams said he was proud to take on the role as mayor and would do his best to continue the good work of Cllr Hill. He said: ?I have learnt so much from Peter in six weeks. I do think this year Peter?s spirit is very much with us.? Cllr Williams said although he had felt a certain degree of reluctance at stepping into the role, he could feel Peter?s voice saying ?Get on with it, boy!? He said: ?It is a time of sadness for us all. I?ve been touched, as has Peter?s family, with the way members, officers and the community have rallied around. ?It was certainly Peter?s belief, marked by his example, that the work of the council should go on. His memory will continue for a long time to be an inspiration to us all.? Cllr Williams has decided to continue with Cllr Hill?s chosen charity for the year, the Stannary Brass Youth Band. Cllr Williams? wife, Sandra, will be his mayoress. Cllr Dennis Bater, who was elected as deputy mayor, said: ?I will give the new mayor all the support I can. It will be a great pleasure to be his deputy.? Cllr McInnes won the vote to fill the vacant position of vice-chairman on the council?s strategies and resources committee.
