WHEN unexpected redundancy forced welder/fabricator Roger Rance into early retirement at the age of 55, positive changes were to follow.
He and his wife Christine upped sticks from their native West London to settle in Bovey Tracey and help out at their daughter’s nearby pub.
Soon after, Roger spotted an ad for a part-time Grounds man with the Town Council and thought it might help supplement his pension for a while.
He applied and now, aged 81, he’s still in the job, having clocked up 25 years and the respect of his colleagues and the community.
‘I know it’s a cliche, but I’ve loved every minute of it,’ he said.
One highlight of his time in the role was planting the avenue of hornbeam trees that now look magnificent in the cemetery.
Another mark Roger has left on his adopted home is the row of hanging baskets that line Station Road - he made each and every one of them.
‘I brought my workshop with me when we moved so I still do a bit of that and have a stall at the Widdecombe Market every fortnight,’ he said.
‘It’s only a hobby and I don’t make any money out of it, but it’s nice when a poker I’ve made gets sent to Australia or somewhere, things like that.’
Back on the job and Roger can often be seen around town with his colleague Peter Stanyon, emptying bins, planting flower beds and generally looking after the place.
They also still dig, by hand, graves for cremation burials.
One job that Roger is pleased has passed into history is getting up at 4am to water the flower displays.
‘You had to get up early to avoid the traffic and I did that for about 15 years but got too old for it,’ he quipped.
Driving through town or emptying the bins, Roger is grateful to those people who wave or wish him a good day.
‘You do get some nice comments and generally people are very complimentary about what we do which is to be welcomed,’ he said.
About carrying on further into his 80s, the great granddad added: ‘Well, I think, what’s the point of packing up?
‘I can’t really see myself with a pipe and slippers just yet. My health’s holding out, it’s just my knees that have gone from years of kneeling on concrete as a welder/fabricator.
‘I’ve been told I could have the first operation in about 18 months but it’s a long old job and I think as long as the pain’s not too bad and I can still get about I’ll carry on as I am.’
He concluded: ‘I love living here, I love working here, and I’ve been so lucky with the people I’ve worked with.
‘There’s something special about working for the place you live in, it gives you much more incentive to do a proper job.’
Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke said: ‘We’re so grateful to Roger for his 25 years of fantastic work for our community.
‘May he long carry on setting an example about the value of commitment and professionalism in whatever role we take in life, and, to proving that service with a smile is always possible, no matter what the challenge.’
More news
-
Water safety improvements planned for Bovey Tracey’s Mill Marsh Park
WATER safety in Bovey Tracey’s Mill Marsh Park is set to be taken up a notch with the introduction of new lifesaving equipment and public information boards.
Added: 16 October 2026
Remembrance Sunday in Bovey Tracey
This year’s Remembrance events in Bovey Tracey are set to begin at 9.
Added: 09 October 2026
Eco heating system at Bovey Tracey’s Riverside centre will cut emissions and bills
A NEW eco-friendly heating system at Bovey Tracey’s Riverside Centre will cut carbon emissions and looks set to cost the town’s tax payers nothing, members have been told.
Added: 10 September 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council awards £2,000 grant to discount food scheme
THE charity that operates a weekly discounted food scheme has been awarded a £2,000 grant by Bovey Tracey Town Council.
Added: 10 September 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council agrees to appoint contractor for £60,000 Heathfield play park improvement scheme
BOVEY Tracey Town Council has agreed to appoint specialist contractors to carry out a £60,000 makeover of a tired play park in Heathfield.
Added: 10 September 2026
£20,000 CCTV installation in Bovey Tracey at no cost to residents
A £20,000 CCTV scheme looks set to be coming to Bovey Tracey with none of the installation costs being landed on residents.
Added: 10 September 2026
The Riverside Community Centre in Bovey Tracey looks set to get an artistic makeover, led by the town’s teenagers.
Creation of a ‘youth-friendly space’ in the building, owned by the town council and supported by the National Lottery, was recommended by officials from Devon Communities Together who had helped monitor The National Lottery Funding objectives.
Added: 03 September 2026
Bike maintenance point available free to cyclists in Bovey Tracey
CYCLISTS passing through Bovey Tracey can make use of a new £1,200 bike repair point donated by members of South Devon Cyclists Touring Club (SDCTC).
Added: 09 July 2026
Local resident signs up as Deputy Town Clerk in Bovey Tracey
LOCAL long term resident Sonia McCauley has joined the small team at Bovey Tracey Town Council where she now serves as Deputy Town Clerk.
Added: 06 July 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council sets aside cash for improved Heathfield play park
BOVEY Tracey Town Council has confirmed its determination to improve community facilities in Heathfield by setting aside sufficient reserves to deliver a £60,000 children’s play park.
Added: 23 June 2026
Bovey Tracey Town Council calls on developers to finish existing construction before project extends
BOVEY Tracey Town Council has called on developers to complete the first phase of new homes at the Longston Cross site before starting work on more than 100 others.
Added: 11 June 2026
Added: 28 April 2026
For older news articles please click here to view our news archive.
