Alderman and Freeman of Glastonbury, John Brunsdon MBE, has sadly passed away.

John completed 44 years of continuous service with Glastonbury Town Council between 1975 and 2019.

In his working life, John was a vet who practiced in Glastonbury for many years. Previously widowed, he had three children.

Among John's many interests he had been a National Trust Tor Warden, the President of the Glastonbury Conservation Society, a St John's church bellringer and a Freeman of the town of Glastonbury. More recently, he was made an Alderman of the town.

His other interests included antique furniture, butterflies, local history, old buildings in Glastonbury and, of course, his grandchildren.

Awarded the MBE for conservation services in Glastonbury in November 2001, John received his award at Buckingham Palace presented by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.

Typical of John, he recalled with sincerity the reasons others were awarded recognition on that day: "My lasting impression of the occasion is how well organised everything was, and how humbled I felt by the efforts of the other recipients in so many spheres - civil, military and overseas."

Glastonbury town clerk Gerard Tucker said: "Glastonbury Town Council continues to recognise the enormity of good work that John undertook on behalf of the town.

"It is with great sincerity that his work on restoring the footpaths in and around the town is to continue.

"A project to install way markers, interpretation boards and seating which John advised on until the end is to continue with delivery funding through the Town Deal Fund."