A RETIRED businessman and ‘proper Lanson boy’ was surprised when the mayor presented him with an award of appreciation at a ceremony in the town hall last week.

Mr Leslie Baker was presented the award of appreciation by the mayor, Cllr Margaret Young, in recognition of, and appreciation for, service to the town and people of Launceston. It was during last Thursday’s mayor choosing ceremony.

Cllr Young said: “Les is what my dad would have called a ‘proper Lanson boy’. He learnt his trade locally and went on to become a successful businessman in the town.” Among activities in the town Mr Baker has supported are the rugby club, Methodist church, Causley Trust and St Piran’s celebrations.

Mr Baker said: “I went to the National School, then St Catherine’s and Launceston College. I enjoyed my time there playing sport as well as learning a little bit!”

He explained when it came to higher education he had two choices — study higher maths, applied maths and physics or French, Spanish, Latin and Portuguese, but he said: “I’ve never been a linguist.”

He spent almost a year in higher education before his headmaster, Henry Spencer Toy, announced in an assembly a firm of accountants was looking for someone to train with them.

Mr Baker enquired but was disappointed to learn from Mr Toy that the firm expected a premium — payment to be trained. Mr Baker told those gathered his mother was widowed and very poor.

However, he went for the interview, adding: “Nothing was said about the premium so I took the job and started August 18, 1952, and I officially retired on about August 18, 2017 — 65 enjoyable years with the firm during which time I have been interested in many local projects and activities.

“I had to do national service and I expected to spend my time in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, but I was told I had a weakness in one of my eyes so I was put in the Royal Army Pay Corps, during the course of which I managed to rise to the rank of a sergeant and was posted to go for a commission… but my love of Launceston was overpowering.”

After completing two years in the army he eventually qualified and became a partner in the firm he worked at, and remained in business, latterly as a consultant. He added: “Lanson’s my home town and I love it best.”