Villagers at Newton Green were due to get together last night to say thank you to John Taylor and Harry Buckledee and see them presented with long service awards.

Mr Taylor, who was parish council chairman for 35 years, was a member for over four decades while Mr Buckledee joined 20 years ago.

Current chairman Alan Vince said: "They have both done a fantastic amount of work for the village, unstintingly, and often without being asked.

"They would see something that needed doing, and just get on with it.
"You need people like that on a parish council and they will be very hard to replace.

"We decided to organise the reception so that the whole village could come along and show their appreciation and say thank you for all their years of dedicated service."

Farmer Mr Taylor stepped into his father's shoes when he joined the council 43 years ago.

"Mr father had been on the council for several years and when he was due to retire he told me 'you'd better stand for election in my place'.

"I've found one of the most satisfying things about being a councillor has been helping people find their way through bureaucracy.

"For instance people applying for planning permission often don't have much idea how to go about it," said Mr Taylor, who lives with his wife Shirley at Rogers Farm and has two sons and five grandchidren.

Helping to set up Newton's playing field with sports pitches and childrens play equipment is also something he is proud of.

Another cause close to his heart was working to maintain the network of public footpaths around the village.

He also helped establish the Newton Trust which administers the village's famous green and has been its chairman since 1972.

The trust's job includes negotiating rents with Newton Green Golf Club and upholding villagers' ancient rights to play golf on the green.

Mr Buckeldee was already very much involved in community life when he joined the council in 1987.

Now, although still fit and active aged 88, he feels it is time to let someone younger take over.

One of his proudest achievements was helping to get a much-needed 30mph speed limit through the village.

"There was no limit at all at one time.

"First, we managed to get 40mph, then later fought to have it reduced to 30mph," said Mr Buckledee, of Assington Road, Newton.

He believes one of the parish council's most important jobs is keeping the village ticking over and dealing with everyday issues.

"I've always felt the main thing was to listen to people, and put their views forward.

"I hope I have been of help," said Mr Buckledee, who has been married to Linda for 61 years, and has two children, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The keen gardener has also been a stalwart of Sudbury Horticultural Society almost 60 years – with a break of just two years when, as an Army reservist, he was called up to fight in the Korean War.

Last night Mr Tayor and Mr Buckledee were both due to receive long service certificates from the Suffolk Association of Local Councils.

The parish council is planning a long lasting tribute by planting a tree for each of them on Newton Green.