A PARISH councillor has retired after serving the Washburn Valley for half-a-century.

Francis Dawson lived at Gate House in Norwood,when he was first approached – by the late Ernest Wood – about becoming a parish councillor 50 years ago.

The role at the time was to serve as one of the five parish representatives for Norwood on the Wharfedale Rural District Council.

Then, in 1974, as part of a national re-organisation of local government, Norwood Parish Council was amalgamated with its four neighbouring parishes to form Washburn Parish Council.

Mr Dawson has been instrumental in many key changes that have taken place in the parish over the years, including the widening of the road from Norwood to Little Almscliffe.

He also helped with fundraising and the securing of grants that enabled the construction of Norwood Social Hall, daffodil bulb planting around the area and, more recently, a litter picking drive.

One of the sadder events to take place during his time as a councillor was the closure of Norwood County Primary School.

Mr Dawson says he feels the time is right now to stand down to let 'younger blood' take over.

Washburn Parish Council chairman, Councillor Christine Ryder, said: "We will miss Francis's advice and wealth of local knowledge at the parish council meetings.

"We would like to thank him very much for being so generous with his time and commitment to the parish during the past 50 years, and wish him a very happy retirement."

Although he moved to Hartwith in 2001, Mr Dawson still farms at Brown Bank Farm in Norwood.

He has been a trustee of the Norwood with Clifton Charities for many years, and, together with his family, hopes to continue supporting the parish and the people of Norwood for as long as he is able.

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