Tributes to council stalwarts

'Honourable men who served their communities'

The leader of South Hams Council has joined the tributes to two veteran councillors after their deaths were announced.

Cllr Julian Brazil (Lib Dem, Stokenham) described Trevor Pennington and Owen Masters as “honourable men who served their communities.”

Mr Pennington, who died at the age of 92, was the longest-serving councillor in the district council’s history. He was elected in 1976 and only stood down at the May elections this year.

He was chairman of the council and held a cabinet post on the executive until 2003. His roles included seven years chairing the audit committee,a post he was well qualified for with his background as an economics lecturer.

He also served for many years as a Marldon parish councillor and as its chairman.

Outside council life, he had an interest in dog breeding and exhibited flat-coated retrievers as well as judging in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and the Netherlands.

Mr Masters, who was 86, had been leader of South Hams Council twice. He served as a councillor between 1987 and 2003 and served on many council committees.

He was a sub postmaster and a member of the Royal British Legion.

Cllr Brazil said: “It’s a sad day for the South Hams. Both Trevor and Owen were honourable men who served their communities.

“I had the pleasure of knowing and working with them both. Committed and passionate in their beliefs, we will miss them.”