RESPECTED former Mayor of Crediton Mrs Gillian Ponsford has died, it has been confirmed.

Crediton Town Council said that Mrs Ponsford was a four-time Mayor of the town, serving from 1983/84, 1987/88, 1996/97 and from 1999/2000.

Mrs Ponsford also served the community as a Mid Devon District Councillor.

Notably she was instrumental in the provision of a swimming pool at the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre.

She was a Teaching Assistant at Hayward’s School before her retirement but she continued with voluntary work at the school for many years.

Gillian was a former President of Crediton Town Band and for many years played the piano for the town’s Senior Citizens Party each year.

She was a trustee of the Jamie Fleming Award which honours outstanding young people in the Crediton area and for many years was one of the judges for the “Crediton Courier” run Best Dressed Christmas Shop Window competition.

She was the beloved wife of Norman and they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in June 2014.

She was the much loved mother of Alastair and Victoria and grandmother of Theo, Ted, Bertie and Will.

The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking, said: “When I was a first-time young councillor in the mid-80s, Gillian was the Town Mayor and I learnt a lot from how she managed meetings constructively and diplomatically.

“Of course, her great inspiration was establishing a large part of the swimming pool fund by selling allotment land and providing housing for local families, as well as the significant town contribution.”

Mrs Ponsford passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 15.

Details of her funeral are to follow.