Parish chairman retires after career that began in 1960s

IT WAS the year that Twiggy was the face of the modelling world, America was battling a losing war in Vietnam and The Beatles released their seminal album, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Apr 2011, 10:10 BST

But for Gordon Holmes, 1967 proved to be a landmark for a completely different reason as he embarked on a career with one of North Yorkshire’s parish councils that was to span more than four decades.

The grandfather-of-four has announced he will be stepping down as the chairman of Burn Parish Council at the local elections on May 5 – nearly 44 years after he joined.

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Mr Holmes, 76, who grew up in the village near Selby, said: “I have enjoyed every minute of my time on the parish council, but I do feel it is time to move on to give someone else the chance.

“I love the village and I wanted to give something back, so that is why I decided to stay with the parish council for so long.”

Mr Holmes lives with his wife, Sheila, at Burn Lane Farm, which has been run by his family since 1896.

He signed the declaration for the parish council on September 15, 1967, and has been the chairman for the last 15 years.

He was also a member of Selby District Council for 22 years up until 1995, and was made an honorary alderman in 1999.

Related topics:North Yorkshire