MEMBERS of Chagford Parish Council stood in silence at their meeting on Monday in tribute to their longest serving member, Cllr Peter Hill, who died last week. Cllr Peter Hill, who was also mayor of West Devon, joined the parish council in 1958 and served continuously ever since. He was chairman of the council on four occasions covering 20 years and chairman of the finance committee at the time of his death, as well as undertaking the arduous responsibility of being mayor of West Devon for the third time, said his colleagues. Chagford parish council chairman Terry Bleakman expressed the great loss felt by the council and the entire local community: ?The councillors have lost a valued colleague but also a true friend whose death was felt deeply,? he said. ?The value placed on Peter?s service, by the parishioners, is best shown by him recording the highest level of votes in every contested election for the last 40 years. As fellow councillors we relied on his vast knowledge of Chagford, local government and life experiences derived from the many other responsibilities he carried out throughout his life.? The council expressed their deepest sympathy to his wife, Gay, and his family. They also expressed their sincere thanks for her stalwart support to Peter in all of his community activity. A thanksgiving service for the life of Peter Hill will be held at Chagford Parish Church today (Thursday) at noon.
