STALWART Patrick Palmer has been awarded for his unwavering support to South Somerset communities for half a century.

South Somerset District Council has appointed him as Honorary Alderman.

The honour was conferred on the former district councillor at a meeting of the full Council on May 17.

Councillor Ric Pallister, South Somerset District Council leader, said: “Patrick was an active councillor all the time he was on the district council.

"His commitment is over half his lifetime and it gives us enormous pleasure for him to join the elite group of Aldermen."

He has served Martock as a Parish councillor for 51 years, since 1967, and continues to serve his local community in this capacity. 

He has been a champion for rural issues, representing SSDC on the Parrett Drainage Board, Somerset Waterways Advisory Committee and the Somerset Water Management Partnership.

Mr Palmer was elected as an independent councillor on Yeovil District Councill, subsequently South Somerset District Council, at a by-election in 1974. 

For more than 41 years, he served on most committees; as vice-chairman of the Area North committee in 1999 and then as chairman from 2003 to 2013. By virtue of his chairmanship of the area nirth committee, he also served on the district executive during this time.

The Local Government Act 1972 states that a council may confer the title of honorary alderman on people who have “rendered eminent services”  to the council as past members.