Veteran councillor enters retirement

Longstanding local councillor Peter Ruffles has hung up his robes for the last time as he ends almost half a century representing Hertford residents.

After a combined total of 105 years on three local councils, Peter Ruffles MBE chose not to stand for re-election this month - the frst time his name has not been on a ballot paper since 1973.

Peter served 16 years on Hertfordshire County Council, 47 years on East Herts District Council and 42 years on Hertford Town Council.

Educated at the town's Hertford Grammar School (later Richard Hale School) from 1953-61, Peter then went on to teach at Broxbourne School for 37 years before retiring in 2000.

When asked to give advice to new council members, Peter said: "Look outward. It's so easy, because of the long hours in committee and the huge responsibility of running very big businesses (Hertford Town Council is a well over a million pound business, and East Herts Council many times greater) to put the people of the communities in second place in your thoughts and worries and concerns. Your work is for them, those who asked for your service."

On his memories, Peter said: "I leave after 47 years with thoughts and memories of people and place every step I take in Hertford and every mile I travel in East Herts.  Issues, battles won or lost, buildings looking good or in trouble, lost or newly built, I have memories.  People of today, characters of yesterday, all brought to mind wherever I step.  I don't need the thanks, welcome though they are.  The work has brought its rewards and its enlightenments, and I'm grateful to have been allowed such a run run in local government."

Updated to correct the first year Peter Ruffles stood in an election (1973, not 1976 as previously stated.