NEW appointments have been made at a village community council after the departure of the long-standing chairperson and vice chairperson who, between them, gave almost four decades’ service.

Maureen Cuthill had served as chairperson of Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council for more than 20 years and Dougie Neill as vice chair for 18 years. Both stood down last September.

Ian Pryde was selected as the new chair and Alan Lauder as vice chair by members earlier this year and have been working with their community council team following the huge amount of work undertaken by its resilience group during lockdown.

Ian said: “Local residents and members of Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council owe Maureen and Dougie a huge debt of gratitude for the amount of volunteering they undertook to support our community over what is a long period of time.

“Their impact in supporting local residents and our community cannot be understated and I for one have learned a great deal from both long standing members and continue to benefit from observation and advice. We very much hope they will enjoy their well-deserved retirement from the community council.”

Simon Davie, connected communities manager for Fa’side, said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Maureen and Dougie during my time in post and previously. Both helped oversee significant improvement in their local community over the years and also acted as the community council’s representatives on Fa’side Area Partnership.

“They will both be missed and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

New community council elections take place in East Lothian in October.