BUCKFASTLEIGH Town Council have announced the death of Councillor Kathy Taylor, above, who joined the authority in August 2021.

Council Leader, Susan Clarke, said: ‘I remember having an interview with her before she came on board to find out why she was interested in becoming a councillor.

‘I was immediately impressed by her sunny disposition, her determination to make a difference and her particular passion for both the town and the benefits of cycling.

‘Kathy worked with the National Cycle Network on their ‘Paths For Everyone Project’ that seeks to establish safe and accessible cycle paths across the UK.

‘She was a big believer that cycling was not just for the Lycra-clad and super fit, but, that it’s benefits should be made more available for everyone.

‘Kathy also sat on the Buckfatleigh Town Hall board of trustees and used her particular expertise do a useful piece of research work to help us with HR policy.

‘Kathy attended in-person, socially distanced meetings in our town hall during the Covid protocol period and helped the town navigate through a difficult time and support our residents - she also gave up her time to help us run events such as our Cinema evenings.

‘In July this year on one of the hottest days of our super-hot summer, Kathy invited me on a ride from Buckfastleigh to Ashburton to check out the proposed route for a new safe and accessible cycle path.

Poor Kathy, she had to stop so many times to wait for me to breathlessly catch her up and even re-applied my chain for me when it slipped off due to my inexpert gear changes and woeful technique!

‘She never stopped encouraging me, warning me about upcoming bumps in the road and just generally sharing her love of our beautiful countryside - this was typical of Kathy.

‘She was clever, she was well informed and she had a level head but above all she was kind.

‘We will miss Kathy greatly and all at Buckfastleigh Town Council and the staff team at the town hall  send love and condolence to her husband Chris and her family.’