A NEWTON Abbot couple have been awarded the Freedom of the Town after decades of service to the community.

Carol Bunday and Mike Hocking, who stepped down from the Town Council in May, were presented with the awards by Mayor Cllr Alex Hall in a ceremony at Newton’s Place on October 9.

They were nominated for the titles of Honorary Freeman and Freewoman by former Mayor Cllr Mike Joyce who felt their years of commitment needed official recognition.

‘There are many people in Newton Abbot’s history who have contributed significantly to the town’s well-being with Mike and Carol being up there with the best of them,’ he said.

‘Nominating them for the Freedom of the Town was the least they deserved.’

Carol Bunday, a former Behaviour Support Officer at Coombeshead College, had served as Mayor of the town and Vice Chair at Teignbridge District Council.

She was also a volunteer at Buckland Youth Club and a governor at both Coombeshead College and Highweek Primary.

She remains Chair of Newton Abbot Air Cadets, is a member of The Court Leet and Newton Abbot Community Interest Company.

Mr Hocking, a former VOSA inspector and vehicle engineer at quarry firm Watts Blake Bearne, also served as Mayor and was Chair at Teignbridge.

He was a governor at three local schools.

Today he sits as Chair of Newton Abbot Community Transport Association, is Treasurer of Newton Abbot Air Cadets and a member of The Court Leet.

He said about the award: ‘It’s great, we’re both very very honoured and it’s a privilege to be given the freedom of our town.’

Ms Bunday added: ‘To be honest we’re very humbled.’

The couple, who have each spent almost 40 years in public life, said they intend to enjoy more travel and time with friends now their council duties have come to an end.

Their commitment to other voluntary roles will continue.

The only other community stalwarts to have been awarded Honorary Freeman status in Newton Abbot are the late Henry Cole and Di Nichols.

Both held many unpaid offices and served as Mayor.