JOHN Lugg, who spent almost half a century in local government, has died after battling ill health.

Mr Lugg served as an independent for the St Teath and St Breward division of Cornwall Council since the authority’s creation in 2009, but stepped down last year.

Mr Lugg was well known in Delabole and the North Cornwall area for his involvement in the community, and through the family owned garage business Luggs’ Garage.

He was possibly the youngest parish councillor when he was elected to St Teath Parish Council, and became the Camelford Rural District Councillor, later becoming North Cornwall District Council.

Former St Teath Parish Councillor Patricia Molloy said: “I can recall voting for John when he was first elected as a parish councillor. He must have been about 21 — possibly the youngest member by a large margin and had been encouraged to stand by Arthur Kent.

“John believed in working for everyone and therefore stood as an independent councillor, treating everyone the same — whether they lived in Delabole, St Teath or St Breward.

“John was a well-respected councillor and on two occasions went with his sister Mavis to the Queen’s Garden Party. He was very involved with the preservation of the Prince of Wales Engine House and did much research prior to the construction of the Delabole Wind Farm — visiting Wales and other areas to assess noise and impact.

“John was a real Delabolian through and through. He was born in the village, attended Delabole School and has always shown a real interest in its well-being.

“He was very persistent when he had an idea to enhance village life and was one of the instigators responsible for restoring the Carnival and the very successful Carnival Week. He supported local events and, even if he couldn’t attend, would buy a ticket, give a raffle prize and help publicise the activity.

“John was a keen supporter of the cricket club, the horticultural show and loved village celebrations. He was a member of our Methodist Church and has been much missed.

“A proud Cornishman, John often sported his Cornish Tartan tie or black and gold scarf — visiting such diverse places as West Cornwall and Twickenham to support Cornish rugby. Cornish brass bands was another of his keen interests and often, with fellow fans Stuart Biddick and Ian Bray, attended Bugle Band Festival, even travelling with Camborne and Mount Charles supporters ‘upcountry’ to festivals.

“John has been an example to us all in the amount of time and care he has generously given to so many in our community.”

Cornwall Councillor for Stoke Climsland Neil Burden, who served on North Cornwall District Council with Mr Lugg, and who was Mr Lugg’s former group leader on Cornwall Council, said he was saddened to hear of ‘the passing of a great community servant’.

He said: “His whole life was centred on St Teath and Delabole and the surrounding area serving the people of Cornwall through his business and the three local councils wherever he could, not forgetting those many holiday makers who in a panic with their broken down vehicles was always ready to help in all situations.

“He was very supportive of community events, the Methodist chapel, choirs, loved donkeys, dogs, and people, especially keen on the progress in life of young people and wanted to celebrate any success they made.

“We joined the council at the same time so for me with John’s passing is a time of reflection a period of positivity and of those happier times when we joked, exchanged banter, but no animosity whatever.

“They don’t come like that anymore.”

Glenton Brown, Cornwall Councillor for the Tintagel division, said: "I would say that really for John people were his life, with the contacts he made and friends on the council, and people he helped. The thing that struck me about John, he was extremely tender hearted. He was very sympathetic of those in need.

"The atmosphere of the crowd he thrived on. He loved his brass bands and male voice choirs, chapel and sport."