TAVISTOCK's longest serving councillor is to be made a Freeman of the town — the first time the honour has been bestowed.

Ted Sherrell, author and justice of the peace for 30 years, was first elected on May 3, 1973. He has been a member of the town council without any breaks since, frequently topping the local polls, and is a member of West Devon Borough Council.

When Ted first became a councillor, Tavistock was a parish council with a part time clerk — it wasn't until the following year it became a town council, with the accompanying right to appoint a mayor.

Ted said: 'I was 31 when I first put up — I'd sort of always been interested in it, funny enough, my father was on the Bere Ferrers Parish Council and Tavistock Urban District Council. My two brothers never wanted to do it, but I thought I'd have a go — and I've been on it ever since!

'I've served every mayor the town has ever had since then, except one — and that was me!'

Ted said he never dreamt he would represent the town for more than half his life.

'I'm not a man to look to the future — but I like the community involvement and fortunately enough, I've always been re-elected.'

He has seen huge changes in the way the authority has been run during his time — and has many a story to tell — some of which feature in the ten books he has written.

'I think one of the best ones concerned the life-belts we used to have on posts down by the river in the Meadows. On Saturday nights people who'd had a bit too much to drink would chuck them in the river and they'd be off down to Plymouth Sound — it was costing the council a fortune.

'The issue went before the properties committee for debate and one elderly councillor came up with the suggestion we nail them to the posts. It almost got adopted —until we realised there was a bit of a flaw in the idea!'

Ted has seen 'hot potatoes' come and go in and around the town over the years, provoking heated debate and passionate views — notably the building of Safeways, now Morrisons, the pedestrianisation of Bedford Square and the construction of the 'rural gateway' at Grenofen.

Throughout his years, Ted has tried to abide by democratic principles, calling into play the qualities he believes vital in a councillor, tolerance, patience — and a good sense of humour!

'I've done it because I've enjoyed it, I really have. It's an honour that people put their trust in you. My father always said, it doesn't matter if they don't like you, as long as they trust you — that's the most important thing.'

He applied the same basic tenets in his role as a magistrate, serving 20 years on the Tavistock bench, and ten in Plymouth, following the closure of the town's court in 2000, until he retired on his 70th birthday.

Despite finding the city bench a 'culture shock' he found the magistrate's role always interesting and fulfilling and like councils and his farming roots, 'a rich source of tales and materials' for his novels and short stories.

At last Wednesday's full council meeting where councillors unanimously agreed to bestow the accolade, Cllr Mandy Ewings said: 'After 40 years of service Cllr Sherrell is known and loved by pretty much everyone in the town — his humour, his anecdotes and the way he's conducted himself over the years in an exemplary manner.

'We do seem to be good fodder for his novels though as most of us have featured in his books somewhere!'

Ted said the fact he was to become a Freeman still had not registered, describing it as a 'totally unexpected and, I feel, undeserved honour'.

'To have held the trust of the electors for so long is an immense privilege in itself, to receive this further accolade is an honour so great I can scarce find words to express my appreciation.

'Suffice to say, I am thrilled to bits.

'It is not possible to express adequately to the mayor and council just how grateful I am — I can only say a simple but heartfelt thank you, to them and to the people of Tavistock.'