10 October 2023

South Hams District Council today pays tribute to long-standing former Ward Member for Marldon and Littlehempston, Trevor Pennington, who sadly passed away over the weekend aged 92.

The longest serving councillor in the District Council’s history, Trevor was elected to the District Council in 1976 before standing down in the recent May elections this year.

During that time, he was Chairman of the Council and held a cabinet post on the Executive until 2003. He held many posts across most Council committees, including the post of Chair of Audit, held from 2009 until 2016. A post he was well qualified for with his background as an Economics Lecturer both locally at South Devon College of Art & Technology and for the Open University, among other institutes.

He also served for many years as a Marldon Parish councillor and as their Chairman.

Outside of council life, he had an interest in dog breeding and exhibited flat coated retrievers and has previously judged in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and the Netherlands.

In other sad news, it was also heard over the weekend that former Leader of the Council, Owen Masters had also passed away.

Owen was a councillor between 1987 and 2003 and was twice Council Leader during his term of office.

Aged 86, Owen served on many Council committees during his time as a councillor.

In his home life, he was a sub postmaster and a member of the Royal British Legion.

Cllr Julian Brazil, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “It’s a sad day for the South Hams. Both Trevor and Owen were honourable men who served their communities. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with them both. Committed and passionate in their beliefs, we will miss them.”

The thoughts of all staff and councillors at the Council go to both families at this very sad time.