SOUTH Petherwin Parish Council and parishioners gathered at Petherwins cafe, South Petherwin, to celebrate and thank Graham Facts-Martin for 41 years of service to the Parish.

Cornwall County Councillor and parish councillor Phil Parsons thanked Graham for all his hard work over the years and presented him, on behalf of the parish, with a framed line drawing of South Pertherwin Church by local artist Roger Pyke.

Graham thanked those that attended for his presentation and told of how and why he became a councillor. He expressed his belief that development was a good thing and was a firm supporter of affordable homes. He had spent most of his adult life living and farming in the parish and enjoyed his public service immensely.

Mike Screech, Andy Patterson, Caroline Davies, Terry Goodman and Fran Dennison summed up his years of service as a "really hard working and good man, very caring and helpful. Doing his best for everybody."

Darren and Sarah Heart also expressed their thanks for his support, "We were very pleased and honoured to host this special celebratory event. We would like to wish him all the best for the future."