Long standing councillor steps down following health scare (From Bucks Free Press)

Long standing Princes Risborough councillor steps down after health scare

2:30pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in Politics By Rebecca Cain

A COUNCILLOR who has served Princes Risborough for 13 years has stepped down following a health scare last year.

Eunice Clifford, 70, has decided to hang up her hat as she said it is the right time to step down.

She has just finished a successful year as Mayor with her last Mayoral duty at the first RAF Freedom of the District parade in the town.

Mrs Clifford said: "I think I have been on there long enough.

"I am knocking on 71, and I think that there comes a time when you need to step down.

"A bit of fresh blood doesn't hurt any organisation."

Last August she had a small stroke, which she said played a big part in her decision to retire.

The Princes Risborough resident was the first female Mayor in the town and is known for speaking her mind.

She said: "Honestly, I am not being big-headed as you know I am not like that, but I have had so many people saying to me why have you retired?

"I think I have got a bit of a reputation."

The grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of one laughed that she will miss the "debates" on the council.

So what does she feel most proud of during her time in office?

She said: "I feel very proud of the parks. I was Chairman of the parks and getting the new equipment put in.

"I was generally proud to be a councillor."

Mrs Clifford was born and bred in Princes Risborough and educated in the town.

She added: "I just love the town. The icing on the cake for me was my last year as Mayor."

And Mrs Clifford said that people do not realise how much work councillors do put in.

She said: "People are quick to criticise but the hours the councillors spend in meetings- all the input is quite amazing now.

"When I first went on the town council it was just a small town council."

She said it has grown considerably over the years with more and more time being put into it by councillors.

And she said she will miss all the members of the town council but will keep abreast of issues.

She added: "Now is the time to retire."

There is now a vacancy for being a town councillor. For further information call the town clerk on 01844 275912 or email towncouncil@princesrisborough.com

Comments are closed on this article.