TRIBUTES have been flooding in for Holsworthy councillor Des Shadrick who sadly passed away in his sleep on Saturday night following a long battle with cancer.

Cllr Shadrick, a farmer who was born and bred in Holsworthy, was County Councillor for Holsworthy Rural, Deputy Leader of Torridge District Council and a member of Holsworthy Town Council.

He was chairman of Devon County Council from 2005 to 2007 and also formerly held a number of other key positions with the county council including Chairman of the Farms Estate Committee, and Executive Member for Community Planning.

Cllr Shadrick was also still serving on a number of County Council committees, as Vice Chairman of the Audit Committee, Vice Chairman of the Invest­ment and Pension Fund Committee and was a member of the Public Rights of Way Committee, and the Environment, Economy and Culture Overview Scrutiny Committee, as well as the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority.

privilege

He once said: "It is a great privilege to represent the people of this area. There is much more that we can do to help regenerate it. I intend to serve the interests of all residents, regardless of political persuasion."

He took an active interest in a number of national and local campaigns and was instrumental in setting up the Ruby Country Initiative to develop green tourism in the area.

He was also hugely involved in the redevelopment of the Holsworthy Livestock Centre and was a driving force pushing forward the regeneration of the town's Memorial Hall.

Within the community, Cllr Shadrick was a founding member of the Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society and was a keen supporter of the town's football club.

Cllr Shadrick's family has farmed in the area for over 130 years.

Friends, colleagues and fellow councillors have paid tribute to Cllr Shadrick.

A spokesman for HATS said: "With immense sorrow we hear that Des Shadrick has finally succumbed to the cancer with which he'd been battling for the last eighteen months.

"Des was a founding member of our society and for around fifty years found great enjoyment in the theatre, which provided a fulfilling contrast to the stresses of business and political life.

"His superb performance skill gave considerable pleasure to audiences over a wide variety of roles.

"Our thoughts are with Marjorie and the family.

"We will all miss him greatly."

Mayor of Holsworthy, Cllr David Smith, who had known Cllr Shadrick for over 30 years having met at HATS said: "Des will be very sadly missed because of all the work he did, which was never for his personal gain but always for the benefit of Holsworthy and the surrounding parishes.

"The cyclepath and Ruby Country is almost entirely down to him and it's up to the rest of us to make certain it continues."

Fellow Holsworthy District Councillor Richard Brown said: "It's no exaggeration to say that Des was involved in every aspect of local life. He must have spent 30 years in local politics as a parish, town, district and county councillor.

"I've known him since I was a young man, and although we sometimes had opposing views, our friendship transcended the political divide. He was a local man with strong local roots who put the community first and who will be very sorely missed."

John Allen, Chair of the Ruby Country Steering Group, described Cllr Shadrick as a "person of the community" and said his passing was "a real great loss to Holsworthy."

Mr Allen said: "He had done so much for Holsworthy, probably more than any other one person.

"He was involved in so many things and was always such a positive person with Holsworthy always at the forefront of his mind.

"He was a politician who was not political when it came to dealing with local issues. He was a driving force and champion behind many projects that benefitted the community and the environment.

"He will be greatly missed."

Richard Reid of the Ruby Country Initiative said: "Des worked tirelessly for the area in which he lived and worked. He was instrumental in so many projects, some which have been put in place and some which continue to be developed.

"It is sad that amongst the ongoing projects is the Ruby Way, something Des was passionate about as he believed it was one of the key projects for regenerating the area. Efforts will continue to develop the Ruby Way with him in mind. It's something we need now to make sure we do complete."

Mr Reid added: "His commitment will be hugely missed. He did so much for so many people."

skills

Devon County Council Leader Brian Greenslade said: "Des was outstanding and because of his oratory skills the Council Chamber would fill and go quiet when he spoke. He was also an exceptional constituency member who delivered a great deal for the Holsworthy Rural area.

"For two years he was our Chairman and 'flew the flag for Devon' with great distinction. He will be very greatly missed by very many. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Marjorie and family at this time."

Devon County Council Chairman John Rawlinson said: "Des will be much missed by all. He was a compassionate man always ready to support the underdog. He had of course a great knowledge of, and natural affinity with, the farming community, but he was passionate about increasing the prosperity of all Devonians, and was constantly thinking of ways to attract business into the county. He realised at an early stage the importance of tourism for jobs, and actively promoted projects such as the Ruby Trail.

"His other passion was education and he worked unstintingly to improve education not only in the Holsworthy area, but throughout the whole of North Devon, recognising how important it was to raise educational standards in the area, if we were to increase its prosperity.

"He was a delightful companion, full of yarns, always ready to listen to your ideas, comment on their validity and relevance. He always tried to make politics relevant and understandable for everyone."

Torridge District Council Leader James Morrish said: "Not only was Des a great support to me as my Deputy Leader, but he was also a friend and colleague. His passion for the rural community in and around Holsworthy was second to none — he gave his whole life to the area he was so proud to call home. My thoughts and support are with his family."

Chair of Torridge District Council Mrs Margaret Brown said: "Des was a very well respected member of Torridge and worked tirelessly for the whole community. He will be sadly missed."

Torridge Chief Execu­tive John van de Laarschot said: "Des was an inspirational councillor dedicated to the communities he served and will be sorely missed by all. An eloquent orator and shrewd politician, Des had the natural ability to see the bigger picture and leverage this ability to propose solutions and strategies that made a positive difference to the day to day lives of the people he so tirelessly served."

Cllr Ken James (Tamarside), a long-term friend of Des' and council colleague, said: "It was down to Des that I became a district councillor and we've been through a lot together — the Ruby Country, the Canal regeneration, the Bridgerule School extension. He's always been a great source of encouragement to me.

"We always said we'd ride all the way along the Holsworthy to Bude cycleway together before we died but sadly that isn't going to happen now. He inspired everyone with his love of Holsworthy and the community. His lasting legacy will be his hard work and focus on community projects, like the Deer Valley Nature Reserve, making sure that future generations will be able to enjoy the area as much as our own.

PROFESSIONAL

"My thoughts are with his wife Marjorie and his family at this very sad time."

Former Torridge District Councillor Trevor Sillifant, of Bradworthy, said: "Desmond did a terrific amount of good and wonderful service for the area. He was a person who would put himself out to go the extra mile and his main thoughts were the good of the area and if he could help anybody, he would.

"Having known him all my life, from school days to farming and from council work and public work, I always found him to be a genuine person and during my time as chairman of Torridge District Council he was my vice chairman and extremely professional on all occasions.

"Desmond was a real Christian and will be greatly missed."

The Torridge flag is flying at half-mast as a tribute, as was the flag at the football ground on Sunday where a minute's silence was also observed before the match.