Newbury civic manager rewarded for 20 years of service

Joyce Lewis helped to create Newbury Town Council in 1997

NEWBURY Town Council's civic manager was this week recognised for 20 years of dedicated service and says she hopes to go on for another 20 years.

Joyce Lewis joined the then Newbury District Council in 1992 and five years later helped to create Newbury Town Council.

During her tenure she has organised a number of civic events, such as the annual mayor making presentation and the town's Remembrance Day service.

At a full town council meeting in the town hall on Monday night (January 23), a surprise presentation was made to recognise Mrs Joyce's twenty years of service.

Mayor of Newbury Jeff Beck described Mrs Joyce as the “face of the town council” and a “respected and trusted” officer.

The town council's chief executive Graham Hunt presented the mother-of-one with a bouquet of flowers and a brooch in the shape of a ceremonial mace.

“Joyce has always been the person who has kept me on the straight and narrow,” he said. “She has always been there to help me and was there at the creation of this town council fifteen years ago.”

Mrs Lewis, who admitted she knew nothing about the surprise presentation, said: “Twenty years had flown by. I feel privileged to have worked with the greatest volunteers our community has.

“If we can continue as happily as we have done for the past 20 years then I would love to continue indefinitely.”

The officer said one of her proudest moments was meeting the Queen in 1997 when she visited Newbury to officially recognise the formation of the new town council.

“We were introduced and she commented on the hard work that must have been carried out to form the council. It was an amazing day. I feel so privileged to see the town council into existence,” she added.