‘Di’ Nicholls B.E.M. In memory of
Mayor and freeman of Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot Town Councillor, Teignbridge District Councillor Devon County Councillor
18th May 1918 - 30th August 2017 Former:-
‘A True Lady of the People’
Long-serving community champions pass away
TWO dedicated ladies who each served the community for decades have died: Diana Elsie ‘Di’ Nicholls, aged 99 (above), and 102-year old Christiana ‘Chris’ Ditchburn (right). The former was renowned for her council work and the latter as an enthusiastic, try-anything museum volunteer. A plaque in memory of long-serving and popular former councillor Mrs Nicholls, who died last August, was erected in Golden Lion Square in April. She was town mayor and district chairman during her 30-year-plus civic career, serving on the former urban district, county, district and town councils. She was a seasonal volunteer at St Leonard’s Tower, a Scavenger for the local Court Leet and an Honorary Freeman of the town and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2013 for services to the community.
Mrs Ditchburn, who died this March, was a stalwart local museum supporter for more than 25 years, only stepping aside last autumn following a fall. Museum curator Mrs Felicity Cole described her as ‘elegant, well turned-out, twinkly-eyed, humorous, interesting, sociable and energetic’ and was remembered ‘with great affection’. Born in Exeter, she lived in the same house in Newton Abbot for 96 years, trained as a milliner at Badcocks and later worked for Conroy Couch jewellers. She was an honorary member of the Royal British Legion and a past member of Newton Abbot Operatic Society. She is pictured taking part in a woodcarving workshop at St Leonard’s Tower in 2011, aged 96, with expert instructor Doug King Smith.
The revised town council newsletter that premiered this spring has a new name and format. Slightly smaller than the previous Newton Flyer, The Newton Cryer is edited by deputy clerk Sam Scott and includes updates on prominent local issues and community events. It is being published three times a year and features the town’s new cartoon logo, ‘Newton’ on the cover.
18 NEWTON ABBOT TOWN GUIDE
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