NO finer ambassador ? that was the sentiment following the election of West Devon?s new mayor at the borough council?s annual meeting in Okehampton on Tuesday. Cllr Peter Hill, of Chagford, has been involved in local government for an incredible 48 years ? in proposing the veteran member, Cllr Roger Mathew said his colleague?s services to the community were ?legendary?. Cllr Mathew said: ?It is a humbling thought that in 1991 when I first encountered Peter, he had already served 33 years as a councillor ? more than twice as long as I have served now.? Cllr Mathew said Cllr Hill, a conciliatory and patient man, had a record which spoke for itself in terms of his commitment to his community. He was chairman of West Devon District Council in the 1980s and served as the borough?s mayor in 2003. ?Peter, his legendary experience, breadth of knowledge and the extensiveness of his network of contacts are a certain claim to mayorality and are assurance that West Devon could have no finer ambassador ? I am very proud to propose him.? Cllr Hill said to be elected as West Devon?s mayor once more was ?an extremely proud moment?. He said the borough faced challenging times but he was sure his colleagues, who had learned so much in the three years since they had been elected, would continue to work to the best of their abilities for the community they served. Cllr Hill said: ?I will attempt my best to serve you and the community of West Devon in the same way I have attempted to do over the last 48 years. Thank you once again for electing me to this great office.? Cllr Hill has chosen the Stannary Brass Youth Band as his charity for the year. He said: ?I think it?s wonderful that young people are given the opportunity of learning to play a musical instrument. It?s something that stays with them all their lives and is a talent that brings so much pleasure. I hope we can raise enough money to really help them.? Outgoing mayor of West Devon Cllr Jayne Hill, was thanked for her year as mayor by Cllr Margaret Garton. She said Cllr Hill had worked tirelessly in her role as mayor, while also holding down a job and carrying on with her family responsibilities. She had represented the borough with ?graciousness, calmness and dignity and an even-handed approach?. ?In chairing meetings, Mrs Hill had a balanced approached to debate, ensuring evenness and fairness to all councillors,? said Cllr Garton. Cllr Hill said she had enjoyed a wonderful year, in which she had learned to appreciate the honour of representing the borough, not as a person, but as its mayor. Even her teenaged daughter had appreciated the role ? proclaiming the mayoral regalia as ?cool? and pleading to be allowed to borrow it for fancy dress parties! The new deputy mayor of West Devon is Okehampton councillor Ken Williams, who was proposed by the leader of the borough Conservative group Cllr Dick Eberlie. Cllr Eberlie said Cllr Williams, a ?local boy? and former English teacher, was ?passionate about West Devon? and would represent the borough with cheerfulness and competence. Cllr Williams said during the three years he had been a councillor, he had come to value the wonderful advice and kindness shown to him by colleagues and officers. He had enjoyed some ?magic moments? during his time on the council, some of which had been ?wonderfully rejuvenating experiences?. ?It is a real privilege to assist Peter ? you can be assured we will do our very best,? he said.
