ONE of the longest serving employees at Tavistock Town Council was presented with a commemorative clock on the occasion of his retirement recently.
Les Bennett worked for the council more than 30 years, serving many of them as works superintendent.
Cllr Norma Woodcock, mayor of Tavistock until her term of office ended on Tuesday, paid a glowing tribute to Les.
Cllr Woodcock said: ?Les joined the parish council in December 1973, then the town council was established in 1974, so he has always been with us.
?He is an absolute fund of knowledge and experience concerning both the buildings and the grounds ? he knows every gutter, every down pipe, every drain and every mole hill in the Meadows and it has been absolutely great having him as a totally invaluable member of our staff.?
Cllr Woodcock said Les had been a ?marvellous face of the council? as far as the public in Tavistock was concerned.
?Everyone knows how helpful he has always been, he could always be relied upon both in hours and out of hours ? we are most appreciative of all the work he has put in to the town,? she said, adding he looked ?far too young? to retire!?
Les said he had always planned to retire at 60 ? and was looking forward to plenty of travelling in his new camper van with his wife Sue and their two dogs.
?It?s a strange feeling at the moment really, I still feel like I?m on holiday,? he said.
?It?s a new stage of life for us now. I shall miss the lads at work, I always enjoyed it and made a lot of friends, but I wish the best of luck to the new chap that?s taking over.?
Les said he and Sue planned to tour Wales next month, with a view to travelling to Scotland and the Lake District later in the year.
?Most probably we?ll look to the continent next year,? said Les, who also intends to spend plenty of time in the garden.
?I?ll still come to Tavistock and look forward to sitting with a cup of coffee in the town ? and not seeing people thinking ?What?s he doing sitting down??,? said Les.