COLLEAGUES have bid a fond farewell to Newton Abbot Museum curator Felicity Cole, who has retired after more than 30 years in the job.

A socially-distanced reception was held at Newton’s Place, Wolborough Street, the building now home to the collection Mrs Cole has cared for since the late 1980s.

Mayor, Cllr Mike Joyce, paid tribute to the dedication she had given the role and her part in overseeing the move from Devon Square last year.

Expressing his delight in the new facility he said: ‘This is the legacy you and others have given the town and we’ll be always grateful to you for that.

‘Thanks for everything you’ve done, and for all the years you put in at Devon Square which was a little box compared to this.

‘It’s only through your guidance and enthusiasm that we’ve got what we have today.’

Deputy mayor Cllr Carol Bunday echoed the sentiment and encouraged Mrs Cole to make the most of her time away from the nine-to-five.

‘As a pensioner myself now, can I say enjoy your life and thank you for everything you’ve done,’ she said.

Mrs Cole was presented with flowers and gifts including a signed print of the Teign Estuary.

A keen artist herself, Mrs Cole intends to paint as well as spend time with her family and walks with husband Martin.

She told colleagues: ‘I consider myself to be an exceptionally lucky person because being able to wake up each morning and think, yay, I’m going to work has been a great privilege.

‘And of course it’s all been about the people who supported the museum over the years really.

‘We started off with 12 volunteers, all dead keen, and were able to open three days a week.

‘Then it slowly grew up to 24 people, 42 people, 62 people.

‘And they all have brought so much to the town, we’re incredibly lucky as everyone one of them has got such a skill to bring.

‘And now we’ve got a bright new start, with new volunteers as well as the old ones, there’s so much potential here.’