THE new Portreeve of the ancient Court Leet of Holsworthy is to be Mr Russell Dymond who has been on the Court for some 19 years as a Constable.

The position of Portreeve is of three years duration. Russell will take over from the current Portreeve, Mike Johns, at a public meeting of the Court on Tuesday, July 7, during St Peter's Fair week.

Russell said he felt highly honoured and deeply proud to have been selected for this office. A true Holsworthy man, Russell has lived all his life in the town and he and his family are well known for their involvement in numerous local events and organisations over a long period.

To name but a few, Russell has been involved in the schools, the church, Cubs and Scouts, football and other sports and is still involved in the carnival, Vintage Rally and St Peter's Fair. He is also currently chair of Holsworthy Museum.

He has been married to Gloria for 41 years and they have two children, Shawn and Wayne, both of whom are married and have families of their own. Shawn, currently living in Bude, is a budding author of two local interest, highly acclaimed books, 'Hols­wor­thy, caught in a lens' and 'Tetcott, the thrill of the chase'. Wayne, living in Holsworthy, currently serves as a Governor at Holsworthy Primary School.

St Peter's Fair week 2009 is from July 4 to 11 and a varied programme of events will be on offer to tempt the public, including live music in the Square on six evenings, and the revamped St Peter's Fair Luncheon, open to all, by ticket, which will follow the Pretty Maid ceremony on Wednesday, July 8. Not to mention the Court Leet and its ale tasting and bread weighing ceremony.

Russell said he was looking forward to his duties as Portreeve and to fair weather for fair week. He sincerely hopes to see a fantastic turn out of local people to all events and, whilst appreciating that times may be hard, wished everyone a prosperous and happy St Peter's Fair.