A STALWART town councillor has received an historic honour after 37 years of service and over a decade as mayor.
Christopher Parsons MBE has decided to leave Pershore Town Council after 37 years as a councillor, with 11 years as Pershore Town mayor and ten years as deputy mayor.
As a result of his service, Pershore Town Council has made Mr Parsons an Honorary Freeman of the town, the first in the town's history.
Mr Parsons said: "It was a total shock and it is a big honour to be the town's first Honorary Freeman.
"I would like to thank the town council for the honour they have bestowed on me and I am truly humbled.
"After 37 years I decided to step down as I just wanted to create more time for myself and the family.
"In the summer months, I spend a lot of time in Somerset and I love nothing more than painting down there."
Mr Parsons also spent 43 years in the fire service and first moved to Pershore in 1975.
Mr Parsons continued: "It's been a privilege to help the welfare of the town and I have tried to provide what the town has needed.
"Throughout my time as a councillor, I have had a lot of fun along the way, I would also like to pay tribute to my family and wife Jan, without their support I would not have been able to do half of what I did.
During his mayorship, Mr Parsons chose to raise money for cancer-related charities and raised just short of £50,000 over the 11 years.
Mr Parsons said: "Over the years I was very fortunate to be involved in the purchase of the library and I was heavily involved in its refurbishment.
"What I enjoyed the most was the restoration of the cemetery chapel after it had fallen into a poor state.
"I worked closely with the builder and we ended up with a superb chapel with a beautiful stained glass window.
"It has truly been a privilege to be in this position to do things in the town."
A spokesperson for Pershore Town Council said: "We thank you for your service, Chris, your wealth of knowledge has been invaluable, and we know you will go on to enjoy your newfound freedom."
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