John Hannis bowed out from a long service in local government this month. The Mayor paid the following tribute to John in a speech at the Mayormaking ceremony last week. We strongly endorse her sentiments.........

"John's CV relates that he has served this town in almost every capacity, as County, District and Borough Councillor the last mayor of the Borough before re-organisation. as President of the British Legion, Chair of the trustees of the Regulated Pastures, the Welfare Charities, the Fire Brigade Charity. We have seen him proud in his bowler hat ordering the parade on Remembrance Sunday He comes from a family who have served our community and gained the towns respect through several generations. Nor is John likely to give up his pavement politics nor his comrades in the Legion just to sit and watch the world go by.   He was not too proud to dress up with the other Councillors to take part in the Charter procession a few weeks ago and when I go to evensong his is still the strongest voice giving out the responses.   On behalf of the Town I would like to say thank you John for all your years of service and may you have many left for us to come to you for advice and good stories".