TRIBUTES have been paid to former mayor of West Devon Christine Grills described as ‘tireless in her duty and always cheerful’, who passed away on January 19.

Mrs Grills was mayor of West Devon in 2000/2001 and again in 2004/2005 and served on West Devon Borough Council from 1995 as a Liberal Democrat member for the Bere Ferrers ward for 12 years.

The Cornish-born councillor and great grandmother lived in Bere Ferrers for most of her life, first with her husband Norman on a smallholding just outside the village and latterly within the village itself, after her husband died. She was very involved in local life and often seen out walking with her dog.

Fellow councillor and friend Cllr Robin Musgrave said Christine’s death was a shock to the community and she would be missed by all the villagers and her colleagues from the borough council.

‘Christine was a resilient character and she carried on looking after her chickens and selling eggs into her 80s,’ he said. ‘I always remember on one occasion we were driving back from a function in North Devon and the weather was appalling. I hit a flood and it caused severe damage to my car. The underneath cover had come off the engine and was dragging on the floor— Christine removed her tights and said to use them to tie up it up — somehow that was typical of Christine!

‘She was a tireless ward member for Bere Ferrers and planning was her particular interest. She was always cheerful and always positive and we will miss her.’

Former colleague on the borough council Ted Sherrell said: ‘Christine was a lady of compassion, courtesy, kindness and generosity of spirit. As a borough and parish councillor she was a dedicated representative of the people of the Bere Peninsula, her actions always guided by principal, integrity and a deep respect for the democratic process. Local community life is so much the poorer for her passing.’

A funeral service for Christine Grills will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Bere Ferrers on Friday at 2pm.