TWO Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council stalwarts are planning to take things easy after serving almost 80 years between them.

Chris and Audrey Wannell have decided they won't be standing in the local elections next month because they would be approaching their eighties by the end of their term.

During their years on the council they have both been mayor twice, chaired various committees and spent long hours working for the good of the town.

Chris was already volunteering as a retained fireman when he joined in 1972. He was all fired up about the carnival having nowhere to stage events that could generate income.

He told his station officer Henry Hobbs, who was also the parish clerk, and was advised to stand for office.

Asked what he would miss in retirement, he said: "Doing my best to serve the people. If I had to think of anything I felt was my greatest achievement I suppose it would be when we got our town crest."

It cost £6,000 and Chris approached brewer James Arkell who suggested businesses could be asked to contribute.

"I went round one morning to the businesses in the town and we ended up with £6,500," he said.

The significance of the chosen motto, "We honour those who serve," was highlighted when the town became the national focus of military repatriations for four years.

Chris, who was the only councillor to have served when the town was a parish, town and then royal town, said: “I shall miss people.

"The staff at the town council offices have been absolutely brilliant and my colleagues of all parties have been lovely to work with in general.”

Audrey joined in 1983 after a conversation with friends in the pub led to her standing for election.

“I didn’t even think I would get on,” she said.

Travelling to different places to represent the town and visiting groups were the highlights of her 34 years as a councillor.

Another was going with her daughter Heather to ring in the millennium at the parish church during her first term as mayor. She was a bellringer for 50 years and all the couple’s children were taught the skill.

“I really enjoyed myself,” she said. “I will miss keeping in touch. When you go up the town people always tell us the news. Some of it is very useful for the council.

“You try to make a difference if you possibly can. Chris and I have always worked together and helped each other out.”

Now Chris will be helping Audrey in the garden. They were members of Wootton Bassett in Bloom for 20 years but in recent times the garden has had to take a back seat.

Audrey has plans to tackle it with her husband’s help, although he will be under her direction.

“Chris doesn’t know a weed from a flower,” she said.

The couple are also making plans to celebrate their golden wedding in September.