ONE of the county’s longest-serving community council chairmen is stepping down after almost three decades at the helm.

Jim Blane has been involved with Ormiston’s community council for 36 years but announced his intention to step down at the group’s meeting last week.

The 69-year-old told the Courier: “I’ve been chairman for 27 years and a member of the community council for 36 years.

“I think after that length of time, I don’t think they will mind if I get off the bus and let somebody else drive it.

“There are always ongoing issues but I never ever, ever intended to stay on as long as I have; I will be 70 in October and I think it is time to go.” The former electrical engineer first became involved in the community council at the same time as Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister and has remained part of the community council through another four Prime Ministers.

Jim said: “I would hope that we have represented the views of the community as it is our remit to do.

“I think one of the main things we have done is resisted the threat of open cast mining.

“We also got a gas supply into Ormiston and I don’t want to blow my trumpet but I think we have the best Christmas lights in the western hemisphere!” The community council holds it Annual General Meeting in October, where Mr Blane is not seeking re-election.

He told the Courier he was more than happy to remain involved as a community councillor but did not want to be “an elephant in the room” to any new chairman.

Councillor Jim Gillies was among those paying tribute to Mr Blane’s efforts.

Mr Gillies, who lives in the village, felt the outgoing chairman had made “a massive contribution to the village”.

He said: “He has been a massive, great servant to the village.

“He has done unbelievable things over the years and not for any awards for himself but just because he has been committed to the village for a number of years.

“I’ve been trying to persuade him to change his mind.”