AFTER several decades in local government, Godfrey Smale has resigned from Calstock Parish Council.

Mr Smale, who was also a former Cornwall County Councillor for Gunnislake for many years and a member of the old Caradon District Council, was praised by his fellow councillors for his work over the years.

Chairman of Calstock Parish Council John Roberts said Mr Smale had been a wonderful servant not just to the parish council but in the wider county area.

'He has worked for everybody but himself and we should thank him for all those years of selfless effort in the arena of local politics,' he said.

Ian Kirk, parish councillor for Calstock, said Mr Smale had always worked tirelessly for the community.

He said that during Mr Smale's time in local government he had been the chairman for Caradon District Council, was, for many years, the county councillor for Calstock parish, the leader of the Labour group on Cornwall County Council and was elected as the chairman for the Lifelong Learning Community for the county council.

He added that Mr Smale was always focused on community issues. He used to run Gunnislake Football Club, with which he retains a connection and interest, he played an active role in Gunnislake Social Club and is a trustee of Gunnislake Public Hall.

He also played an active part in getting the Gunnislake Woodland Centre built, which is for the elderly and disabled people in the area.

Mr Kirk said: 'Although he was a Labour man he always represented the needs of the community and not just for the party — everybody had a lot of respect for him.

'Even though people didn't want to vote Labour, they would vote for Godfrey as they liked and respected him.

'He was involved in so many things for many years — he worked tirelessly in everything he did.

'He never allowed party politics to get in the way — he did things for the community.'

It was agreed a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Smale.