Roger stands down (From Gazette & Herald)

Roger stands down

AFTER 32 dedicated years of service, the clerk to Thornton-le-Dale Parish Council has retired.

Roger Richardson handed over the reigns to Martin Blythe officially on Saturday, May 1, but will continue to help out and ensure a smooth transition until the end of the month.

With a career in local government spanning 43 years, Mr Richardson retired as principal administration officer at Ryedale District Council in 1996. He also worked as the Pickering town clerk for 14 years as well as carrying out the role in his home village.

"Doing the three jobs at once was quite a handful," said Mr Richardson, "especially with all the evening meetings. I really couldn't have done it without the support and assistance of my wife, Pauline."

The two projects he wanted to see through before his retirement were the extension to the village's Peasland's Lane cemetery, which was dedicated last month by the Rt Rev David Galliford, and the formation of a liaison group between villagers and Yorwaste over the Caulklands landfill site, the first meeting of which was also held last month.

Mr Richardson, who lives at Vale View in Thornton-le-Dale High Street, said he will still be available for support and assistance in his retirement, and added: "I'm sure Martin will be a very good clerk, he has very good experience."

Chairman of Thornton-le-Dale Parish Council Wilf Garbutt said: "Mr Richardson has served the village with great efficiency and he will be very much missed."

Martin Blythe has been a resident in the village since 1983 and is chairman of Thornton-le-Dale Show. Mr Blythe, who lives in Maltongate with his wife Betty, is principal administration officer for Scarborough Borough Council, and says he wanted to get more involved in the village as his retirement approaches in the next few years.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, May 05, 2004