THE New Year in Tavistock will be welcomed in style this month, with the appointment of a new honoured burgess. The town council this week announced it is to confer the ancient honour on former mayor and long-term councillor, Norma Woodcock. It is the first occasion in modern times that a husband and wife have held the title — Mrs Woodcock's husband Gerry was made an honoured burgess of Tavistock last year. Mrs Woodcock was a member of the town council, without a break, from 1973 until last year — 34 years of service to the community. Town clerk Roger Howard said: 'She was mayor of Tavistock on four occasions and chairman of various committees for many years. 'Few, if any, can have equalled her record of service to the community life of Tavistock, and the council is pleased to recognise this by making her the seventh burgess.' Cllr Ted Sherrell, who joined the council the same year as Mrs Woodcock, said: 'As a councillor, Norma was ever a lady of integrity, vision, principle and courage — a dedicated servant of the people, she has been their champion. 'Four times mayor of the town, with her courtesy, wit, style and grace, Tavistock has never had a finer representative. 'Her inclusion in the ranks of honoured burgesses is long overdue.' Mrs Woodcock said she was 'absolutely delighted' to be recognised in this way. 'I really am extremely honoured and very grateful to the council — it's given my and my family very great pleasure.' Historically, a burgess was a person of some importance in the town, a successful businessman or land holder. In Tavistock, the burgesses and freeholders of the town elected one of their number each year to be the 'portreeve', the highest local government office. The title came from the Anglo-Saxon word 'port', for market town, and 'reeve' for steward. This came to an end in the early 19th century, but since 1984, the town council has been empowered to confer the distinction of honoured burgess on those who have rendered eminent and distinguished service to Tavistock. The conferment carries with it the right to bear the rank and title of burgess. It is awarded at a formal ceremony by the presentation of a framed certificate and memento bearing the town's coat of arms. There are currently six burgesses — Jean Burleigh- Taylor, Betty Lobb, Stuart Cole, Gill Gorbutt, Gerry Woodcock and Russell Woolcock. The conferment ceremony is due to take place in Tavistock Town Hall on Saturday January 26 at 2pm. Members of the general public are welcome to attend.
