A MAN who has reached a significant milestone, notching up half a century of local government service, has been recognised at a surprise presentation.

Cllr Gwen DuChesne MBE, Cabinet Member for Parish and Community Engagement at Mid Devon District Council, with the Outstanding Achievement Certificate presented to Malcolm Vallance. AQ 9991
Cllr Gwen DuChesne MBE, Cabinet Member for Parish and Community Engagement at Mid Devon District Council, with the Outstanding Achievement Certificate presented to Malcolm Vallance. AQ 9991 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Malcolm Vallance, currently clerk to Thelbridge Parish Council, saw many guests arrive before the start of the September 1 council meeting.

Cllr Gwen DuChesne MBE, in her role as Cabinet Member for Parish and Community Engagement at Mid Devon District Council, attended to present Malcolm with a 50-year long-service certificate.

Parish councillors, district councillors and local representatives attended the presentation ceremony.

Malcolm Vallance receiving his Certificate of Outstanding Achievement from Mid Devon Cllr Gwen DuChesne MBE with District Councillors Polly Colthorpe and Steve Keable, left, with former District Councillor Margaret Squires, right. AQ 9989
Malcolm Vallance receiving his Certificate of Outstanding Achievement from Mid Devon Cllr Gwen DuChesne MBE with District Councillors Polly Colthorpe and Steve Keable, left, with former District Councillor Margaret Squires, right. AQ 9989 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Before presenting Malcolm with his Certificate, Cllr DuChesne spoke about the extraordinary service Malcolm had provided to his local community.

She said: “It is a privilege to recognise Malcolm and his outstanding contribution to local government and community life. This is an extraordinary achievement built on dedication, care and a deep commitment to the communities he has served.

“From his early role as Chairman of Kingsteignton Parish Council, where he pledged to help the village keep its identity, to his many years as Sandford Parish Clerk (43 years) and his current role with Thelbridge Parish Council, Malcolm has shown what steady, meaningful public service looks like.

Malcolm Vallance as chairman of Kingsteignton Parish Council. Photo contributed
Malcolm Vallance as chairman of Kingsteignton Parish Council. (M Vallance)

“His contribution reaches far beyond formal duties. He has helped protect local traditions, supported community events, founded organisations, edited parish magazines, volunteered at Exeter Cathedral, and shared his experience more widely as a trustee of Devon Communities Together.

“On behalf of all those who have benefited from Malcolm’s dedication, we say thank you. Thank you for 50 years of service, for your loyalty to local communities, and for the example you have set. Malcolm, your contribution is truly at the heart of the community.”

Malcolm Vallance, third left, with the gavel he presented to Sandford Parish Council, with second left, Chairman Richard Ward with the gift of an engraved clock he presented to Malcolm. Left is Jean Howard, with, from fourth left, Paul Snell, Cllr Mrs Margaret Squires and the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking. AQ 1057
Malcolm Vallance, third left, with the gavel he presented to Sandford Parish Council when he left the council, with second left, Chairman Richard Ward with the gift of an engraved clock he presented to Malcolm. Left is Jean Howard, with, from fourth left, Paul Snell, Cllr Mrs Margaret Squires and the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking. AQ 1057 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Mr Vallance described the award as “the pinnacle of my 50th anniversary in local government.”

Malcolm was first elected as chairman of Kingsteignton Parish Council, aged 27, while working as a tax officer for the Inland Revenue having only served on the council for two years.

At the time, he was thought to have been one of the youngest parish council chairmen.

He vowed then that Kingsteignton ‘must keep its village identity’.

Mr Vallance has held various positions in Sandford including founding chairman of Sandford Pantomime Association.

A Sandford Parish Council meeting held in the school room of Sandford Congregational Hall in March 1986, left to right, E Sparkes, M Vallance, Suzi Williams, Chairman Jean Howard (nee Munday), Jean Ford and Joe Hole (MDDC Cllr).
A Sandford Parish Council meeting held in the school room of Sandford Congregational Hall in March 1986, left to right, E Sparkes, M Vallance, Suzi Williams, Chairman Jean Howard (nee Munday), Jean Ford and Joe Hole (MDDC Cllr). (M Vallance)

He has also been involved in wider organisations away from local government including as chairman of the Mid Devon Branch, Wellbeing (Princess Diana Charitable Initiative); editor, Sandford Parish Council website and Parish Magazine; photographer and compiler of Sandford’s Community, Covid, and Royal Celebration scrapbooks and as a volunteer steward at Exeter Cathedral.

During his time as clerk at Sandford, he worked with 26 chairmen of the council.

At the opening of Sandford Pavilion in 2021, with Malcolm Vallance, then clerk, Sandford Parish Council, right. AQ 0746 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

In September last year, he was appointed as a trustee of Devon Communities Together.

Prior to the presentation at Thelbridge, Mr Vallance received a letter of congratulation and thanks for his public service from the Chair of Devon County Council, Cllr Rosie Dawson and the Chief Executive of Devon County Council, Donna Mason.

He also received congratulations from the Devon Association of Local Councils and the Chair of the Society of Council Clerks.