A WOMAN described as a “rock” for her role in supporting local initiatives over two decades has left Woodstock Town Council.

Val Read, of Plane Tree Way, Woodstock, had worked as a clerical assistant at the town council since 1987.

The grandmother of one, who has lived in Woodstock since 1977, worked for a total of eight town clerks and 11 mayors, and alongside almost 15 administration, financial and environmental assistants.

Mrs Read, 65, retired from the post at the beginning of May and plans to devote plenty of time practising her euphonium, playing with the Witney Town and Kennington Bands.

She said although she always had “101 things to do” it would be a real wrench to leave her job.

Mrs Read added: “I enjoy everything about it really, but mostly I will miss the people and seeing the general public.

“I think I will miss just being in the centre of the town, in the middle of things watching people come and go.”

Mrs Read, who juggled a job as a lunchtime supervisor at Woodstock Primary School in the early days of her career with the town council, had duties as varied as organising Remembrance Day Parades, officially attending weddings at the town hall, and helping mayors to put on their robes.

Mrs Read’s popularity in the town was reflected with a generous £700 goodbye collection from friends and colleagues, some of whom she used to go on holiday with to south Devon.

She was also given some new deckchairs for her garden.

Current mayor Peter Jay said he was sorry to see her go. He added: “Val will be sorely missed.

“She has been a rock through some turbulent times for the town council, and her record of dedication to the community has been thoroughly outstanding. “ Mrs Read said she will miss the buzz of working at the town hall.

She added: “I think I will also miss just having something to do those three mornings a week, although I must say I haven’t had a chance to get bored yet.”

Mrs Read said she was also looking forward to spending her retirement going on more holidays, and enjoying more time with her husband Les, and her two children Andy, 36, and Alison, 39.