A MEMORIAL Service for Councillor Frank Letch, who served Crediton, Mid Devon and Devon County Council, will take place at Crediton Parish Church, beginning at 2pm, on Friday, May 16.

Frank William Letch passed away on April 8 at home aged 80 years.

The funeral cortege will drive down Market Street passing the Town Square and along Parliament Street on his final journey at 11am during the morning of Friday, May 16.

Frank was elected to Mid Devon District Council in 2015 and to Devon County Council in 2021. Because of his work and commitment to his local community Frank was awarded the MBE in the New Year's honours list in 2015.

Over the years Frank had roles with several charities including Reach (Association for young people with upper limb deficiency).

Frank was born in June 1944 in the East End of London and lived there until 1963 when he attended Birmingham University to study French and Italian.

After graduating he spent five years teaching in Birmingham and married Helen before moving to Bala in Wales.

There Frank continued his career teaching in English and later in Welsh.

Frank said: “Most people know that I was born without arms. Nobody knows why and it doesn't really matter if they do because it won't change anything will it?

“Because of this my first 11 years of education were spent in special schools.

“Despite all this I managed to pass 10 O levels and later went on to grammar school where I passed three A levels. While I remained in London to sit my A levels my parents and sister moved to Cheriton Bishop for father’s work.

"In 1963 I went to Birmingham University to study French and Italian. I also had A level Spanish, so you might guess I'm a linguist.

"During my degree I spent a year teaching English in France and loved it."

Frank retired in 1992 to concentrate on his five children and their kennel of dogs after Helen sadly died in 1990. Frank was a Kennel Club certified dog trainer, winning several times at Crufts.

In 1995 Frank moved to Scotland and shortly after to Crediton.

He became an active member of the community, becoming a school governor, joining Rotary and much more.

Frank also married again, a lady he met on holiday in Egypt.

In 2004, Frank became a town councillor and was the Mayor of Crediton for 13 years.

He said that he was proud that his wife Natalia was Mayoress and later became a Town and District councillor.

The support he has given to Crediton, Mid Devon and Devon groups and organisations cannot be underestimated.

Frank used his feet to write and peel vegetables and had an adapted car which gave him more freedom.

Frank spent 10 years as a tribunal judge for Employment and DLA Tribunals.

Donations for Hospiscare or REACH, may be given by retiring collection at the service or send to LeRoy Funerals, 94/95 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LB Or online at: www.leroyfunerals.co.uk .