NINETEEN former councillors who served their communities for a combined 356 years were honoured at a ceremony at County Hall in Exeter.

Each of the former Devon county councillors served their communities and the county with distinction and were bestowed with the title of Honorary Alderman of the County of Devon.

Margaret Squires served as County Councillor for the Creedy, Taw and Mid Devon Exe Division from 2001 to 2005 and 2013 to 2025. AQ 4456
Margaret Squires served as County Councillor for the Creedy, Taw and Mid Devon Exe Division from 2001 to 2005 and 2013 to 2025. AQ 4456 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Ian Hall served as County Councillor for Axminster from 2017 to 2025. AQ 4400
Ian Hall served as County Councillor for Axminster from 2017 to 2025. AQ 4400 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
James McInnes served as County Councillor for the Hatherleigh and Chagford Division from 2005 to 2025, pictured with DCC chair, Cllr Caroline Leaver. AQ 4443
James McInnes served as County Councillor for the Hatherleigh and Chagford Division from 2005 to 2025, pictured with DCC chair, Cllr Caroline Leaver. AQ 4443 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The ceremony was conducted by the chair of Devon County Council, Councillor Caroline Leaver who presented a Badge of Office and Commemorative Scroll to each in attendance.

Of the 19 former councillors recognised one was given posthumously – Frank Letch, the former member for Crediton and recipient of an MBE for his charity and community work, passed away in April this year.

Jerry Brook served as County Councillor for the Chudleigh and Teign Valley Division from 2005 to 2025, pictured with DCC chair, Cllr Caroline Leaver. AQ 4430
Jerry Brook served as County Councillor for the Chudleigh and Teign Valley Division from 2005 to 2025, pictured with DCC chair, Cllr Caroline Leaver. AQ 4430 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Natalia Letch, a Mid Devon District Councillor, received the posthumous award for her late husband, Frank Letch from DCC chair, Cllr Caroline Leaver. AQ 4396
Natalia Letch, a Mid Devon District Councillor, received the posthumous award for her late husband, Frank Letch from DCC chair, Cllr Caroline Leaver. AQ 4396 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Frank Letch. Photo: Alan Quick
The late Frank Letch, pictured in Crediton High Street. (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Andrew Sewell served as County Councillor for Torrington Rural from 2017 to 2025. AQ 4403
Andrew Sewell served as County Councillor for Torrington Rural from 2017 to 2025. AQ 4403 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Alistair Dewhurst served as County Councillor for Teignbridge South which became Ipplepen and the Kerswells from 2013 to 2025. AQ 4408
Alistair Dewhurst served as County Councillor for Teignbridge South which became Ipplepen and the Kerswells from 2013 to 2025. AQ 4408 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Frank’s Badge of Office and Commemorative Scroll was accepted by his wife, Councillor Natalia Letch, who serves on Mid Devon District Council.

Mark Gribble received the Honour for George Gribble who served as County Councillor for Bovey Tracey Rural from 2009 to 2025. AQ 4414
Mark Gribble received the Honour for George Gribble who served as County Councillor for Bovey Tracey Rural from 2009 to 2025. AQ 4414 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Rufus Gilbert served as County Councillor for Salcombe from 2013 to 2025. AQ 4410
Rufus Gilbert served as County Councillor for Salcombe from 2013 to 2025. AQ 4410 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The recipients of the title of Alderman, their tenure dates and the divisions they served were:

Frank Letch MBE (2021-2025) Crediton, Ian Lloyd Hall (2017-2025) Axminster, Andrew Saywell (2017-2025) Torrington Rural, Alistair Dewhirst (2013-2025) Ipplepen and the Kerswells, Rufus Gilbert (2013-2025) Salcombe, George Gribble (2009-2025) Bovey Rural, Percy Prowse (2009-2025) Duryard and Pennsylvania, Sara Randall-Johnson (2009-2025) Broadclyst, Jerry Brook (2005-2025) Chudleigh and Teign Valley, Roger Croad (2005-2025) Ivybridge, Rob Hannaford (2005-2025) Exwick and St Thomas, James Mclnnes (2005-2025) Hatherleigh and Chagford, John Berry ARAgS (2001-2025) Cullompton and Bradninch, Ray Radford (2001-2025) Willand and Uffculme, Margaret Squires (2001-2005 / 2013-2025) Creedy, Taw and Mid Exe, Jeremy Yabsley (2001-2025) South Molton, Christine Channon (1993-2025) Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton Coastal, Thomas J Hart (1989-1997 / 2001-2025) Bickleigh and Wembury and Stuart Hughes (1993-2025) Sidmouth.

Roger Croad was County Councillor for Ivybridge from 2005 to 2025. AQ 4432
Roger Croad was County Councillor for Ivybridge from 2005 to 2025. AQ 4432 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Sarah Randall-Johnson served as County Councillor for Honiton and Michael from 2009 to 2017 and Broadclyst from 2017 to 2025. AQ 4425
Sarah Randall-Johnson served as County Councillor for Honiton and Michael from 2009 to 2017 and Broadclyst from 2017 to 2025. AQ 4425 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Councillor Leaver said: “The contribution councillors can make in their time can be wide ranging and all of you have made a significant contribution to public life, either in terms of length of service or perhaps as a committee chair, former cabinet member or council leader.”

Christine Channon served as a County Councillor for 32 years from 1993 to 2025, representing Budleigh/Sidmouth, then Budleigh Rural, then Exmouth and Budleigh Coastal. AQ 4469
Christine Channon served as a County Councillor for 32 years from 1993 to 2025, representing Budleigh/Sidmouth, then Budleigh Rural, then Exmouth and Budleigh Coastal. AQ 4469 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Jeremy Yabsley was County Councillor for South Molton from 2001 to 2025. AQ 4461
Jeremy Yabsley was County Councillor for South Molton from 2001 to 2025. AQ 4461 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)