Liberal Democrats Celebrate Councillors' Years of Service

8.35.49am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 20th Jun 2006

Cllr Ann Haigh, Chairman of Epping Forest Council, present former councillor Michael Heavens with a leaving gift

Over 40 Liberal Democrats gathered in Theydon Bois on Sunday for a celebration lunch to thank former Council Leader Michael Heavens for his years of service and action on the council and in the community. Michael retired from the council in May and he and his wife Margaret have moved to Oxfordshire where Michael grew up.

Liberal Democrat colleagues, including Chairman of the Council and fellow Buckhurst Hill Councillor Ann Haigh and Liberal Democrat Group Leader Jon Whitehouse, paid tribute to Michael's leadership and to his energy and commitment as a ward councillor, senior Cabinet member, Chairman of Council and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate. In his speech Michael recalled his unexpected election in 1985 as one of the first two SDP councillors and the changes on the council since then.

Along with other retiring councillors Len Martin and Fergus Maclaine, Michael received a gift from Liberal Democrat members. At the end of the lunch Michael cut a celebration cake decorated with the Liberal Democrat Bird of Liberty which had been made by Cllr Janet Hedges, deputy mayor of Epping.