Town clerk bows out after 40 years of serving village

Town clerk Pauline Raymond retired this month after 40 years service.

When she first started as assistant clerk, Pauline had to juggle her official duties with the demands of a growing family.

With husband Colin and their two small boys, the couple took to village life with energy and enthusiasm.

Pauline soon took over the job of clerk and during her years has overseen many firsts for Sedlescombe.

The village was the first in Rother district to become a Quality Parish Council, the first to produce a Parish Plan and the first with a Neighbourhood Plan.

With the changes in policing, Sedlescombe was then the first village in the area to embrace the new ideas and fund its own PCSO, persuading SLM Motors in Hastings to provide a car.

During Pauline’s tenure, there has been a new village hall, which was the culmination of a big fund-raising effort by the parish council and the village over several years.

There has also been a new sports pavilion, a nature reserve and a new games area for the children.

More recently the village’s landmark pump on the green has been restored and all footpaths checked and cleared.

Apart from the hundreds of meetings she had to attend, and reports to write, Pauline along with husband Colin led frequent nature walks along the footpaths of Sedlescombe.

Many of her labours on behalf of the village went far beyond the call of duty.

She was a frequent and welcome visitor at the primary school and is often called on to act as a judge for the pupils’ projects.

Cllr Valerie Wright, chairman of Sedlescombe Parish Council, said: “Pauline is undoubtedly one of the longest serving clerks in the county and will be a hard act to follow.

“To show their appreciation for all her efforts and behind the scenes work on their behalf, residents joined by local clerks and other dignitaries, made a formal presentation to her in the village hall.”