A WEST Devon magistrate was one of those honoured with special awards at a ceremony in Exeter this week. The ceremony saw 49 magistrates receive certificates marking their commitment to the community by together clocking up more than 1,000 hours on the bench ? among them Peter Hill of Chagford. Peter Hill was appointed a justice of the peace in 1971 in Okehampton ? he transferred to the central Devon bench when petty sessional divisions changed in 2001. He has held a number of other roles, including being chairman of the West Devon bench, mayor of West Devon, a West Devon borough councillor and Chagford parish councillor. He has also been a governor of Okehampton Primary School and Okehampton College. Peter, who received an award for 35 years? service on the bench, said: ?There have been big changes since I joined the bench as a rural magistrate. ?In the early 70s, magistrates were mostly men. The few female JPs tended to be wives of professional men ? doctors, vets or solicitors ? or county figureheads in their own right. ?Today, it?s much more representative of society, and we encourage diversity.? Peter said when he started as a magistrate, quarter sessions and assizes were still running, with visits by judges from London high courts, with juries in attendance to try major crimes. ?It was a full pageant with the judge in a white wig, escorted through the town by the county sheriff and even a welcoming fanfare. ?Nowadays, by contrast, all cases run initially through the magistrates? court and major crimes are then passed to crown courts. ?I?ve really enjoyed being a magistrate ? meeting so many different people and learning much about humanity.? Peter received his award from the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Eric Dancer, at County Hall in Exeter on Tuesday evening.
