WESTBURY Town Council last week paid homage to long-standing assistant town clerk Barbara Mantle, who has retired from her post after 15 years of service.
Barbara, who has lived in Westbury for 29 years said, “I moved from Bratton to Westbury in 1986, and began at the town council in 2000 as assistant town clerk.
“I have enjoyed my time at Westbury Town Council very much and have learnt so much about Westbury during the last 15 years. I will really miss my colleagues, the councillors and the contact with the public and the many hard working groups in the town.
“There have been big changes in Westbury and in local government during my time at the council.
“Westbury has seen a large increase in housing, with the Leigh Park Estate nearing completion and several smaller developments around the town. There has also been the development of the Northacre Business Park with a variety of enterprises moving in.
“In local government there has been the introduction of the unitary authority – Wiltshire Council – and the loss of West Wiltshire District Council, along with the other district councils in Wiltshire.
“My advice to anyone joining the council would be to take time to get to know the town, and I am sure you will come to appreciate that Westbury’s greatest asset is its people.”
Town clerk and Barbara’s colleague Keith Harvey said, “Barbara has been a loyal and dedicated employee for Westbury Town Council for the past 15 years.
“She has always been very committed and professional in all that she did. I was not aware of the workload or amount of hours required to keep the wheels of Westbury Town Council turning until I became town clerk five years ago.
“Barbara has certainly seen some changes at Westbury Town Council. Over the years she has been involved with a number of committees, numerous working groups, together with task and finish groups.
“Recently she has been involved in setting up the emergency planning group and prior to leaving, on behalf of the tourism group, she has completed all the investigation and documentation in respect of a historic blue plaque trail which will form part of a walk around the town taking in 10 of Westbury’s oldest buildings.
“She really enjoyed and was heavily involved in planning the summer and Christmas street events, including the Christmas lights switch-on, and on the day of the events she was one of the first on the scene early in the morning and last to leave in the early hours of the following morning. She was there with her high-viz jacket ensuring everything ran smoothly and that everyone enjoyed the events.
“Barbara will be greatly missed by all her work colleagues and councillors, especially me. She sat at her desk from 9.00am to 6.00pm and I knew she was there should I need to discuss any current issue or pick her brains on anything historical. Now she has gone I am not concerned about day-to-day issues, it is the wealth of knowledge that goes with her after such a long period.
“Finally from all the staff and councillors at Westbury Town Council we wish Barbara all the very best in her retirement – she certainly deserves it.”
Local councillors also voiced their fondness and respect for Barbara and wished her well.
Westbury Mayor, cllr Christine Mitchell said, “I’ve known Barbara for as long as I’ve been on the town council, and she’s such a good person. Anybody could approach her with a problem and you knew she’d help you. I know she’s allowed me to pick her brains on more than one occasion!
“She was a great asset to the town council and will be greatly missed, but I hope she enjoys her retirement.”
Councillor Ian Cunningham said, “Barbara is a fantastic person and remarkably knowledgeable, especially about local government. She is very organised and always did a good job of keeping things on the straight path.
“I have known her since I began as a councillor and she has always been very pleasant and helpful to me personally; I am sure we’ll all miss her a great deal.”
Councillor Sue Ezra said, “I worked with Barbara for eight years; she has always been extremely supportive to me and has a great deal of knowledge. She will be sorely missed.”
