A DEDICATED public servant has received one of Wychavon’s highest and rarest civic honours.

Peter Pinfield was made an Honorary Alderman by members of Wychavon District Council during a ceremony at the Civic Centre in Pershore on Wednesday night.

It is only the fifth time in Wychavon’s history that it has granted the title to someone, which dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and used to refer to those who exercised the power of the king.

Since the implementation of the 1972 Local Government Act it has been used to recognise former councillors who have ‘rendered eminent service’.

It means the former Labour councillor can now officially use the title to be referred to along with other rights such as taking part in Wychavon’s civic events.

Mr Pinfield spent 32 years serving on Wychavon representing both Droitwich West and Droitwich East having been elected in 1979.

He retired in 2014 to take up the position of chairman of Worcestershire Healthwatch, an organisation which champions patients’ views.

However, the 69-year-old’s record of service started some years before that shortly after he moved to Droitwich from Birmingham with his wife Pat and young family.

He became involved with the Droitwich Allotments Association and it sparked a lifetime of commitment to the community that would see him also serve as a county councillor, governor of several schools, becoming involved with the Diabetic Association and launch the town’s first Music and Arts Festival to name but a few of the achievements on his CV.

The award is a timely boost for Mr Pinfield who is still recovering from a major health scare after undergoing valve surgery on his heart.

Mr Pinfield, who still remembers nervously wondering what to wear to his first council meeting, said: “It’s a privilege to be recognised like this and I’m pleased to accept it not just for myself but on behalf of all the organisations I’ve helped and been involved with over the years, they’ve all been part and parcel of it.

“It’s a wonderful gesture from people who themselves do a lot for the community and for them to say ‘Peter, well done for everything you have given in the name of public service’ means a lot.”

He said his greatest achievement was securing a £2million commitment from both Wychavon and Worcestershire County Council that enabled a multi-million deal to be done to restore Droitwich’s canals to their former glory.

Cllr Liz Eyre, chairman of Wychavon District Council, said: “He listens carefully, is reflective and uses astute questioning to bring issues to a pragmatic resolution.”

The other four Honorary Alderman are Don Lawley, V J Smith, John Grantham and Malcolm Meikle.