DOUGLAS HULL: A tribute to Axminster's longest-serving councillor

I STARTED my journalistic career as a cub reporter in 1965 at the same time Douglas Hull was elected to the old Axminster Rural Council representing the parish of his home village, Hawkchurch.

The rural council was chaired by the frightening (at least to a rookie reporter, aged 17) and highly respected Mr D.F. Baker, owner of the tannery at Colyton, who had occupied the chair for many years.

All the members were experienced councillors from the villages surrounding Axminster: Musbury, Whitford, Shute, Kilmington, Membury, Stockland. And then there was Douglas, Hawkchurch's new boy, considered by his fellow councillors to be a bit of an upstart, a maverick, in fact.

Douglas was not fazed by the many years of service his colleagues had devoted to their individual parishes. He was determined that his beloved Hawkchurch would always come first.

To the press bench, Douglas was a breath of fresh air. When he got to his feet in the council chamber in Oak House, Chard Road, we reporters sat up, pencils at the ready. He didn't take too much notice of procedure or care much about whom he might upset. He was uniquely combative in an otherwise rather sedate and respectful organisation.

In fact, at the first meeting I covered at which Douglas got up to speak, he landed me in a great deal of trouble. He made a very controversial statement which I believe he had to later withdraw. I can't remember exactly what is was about, but I reported it verbatim and the paper I was working for, the Express & Echo, was threatened with a libel suit.

After that I kept a wide birth of Douglas after a dressing down from my news editor. Douglas didn't seem at all perturbed by the fuss it caused.

There were many times in future years, especially when I covered Axminster for Pulman's Weekly News, when Douglas and I crossed swords, usually at election time. He was a staunch liberal all his life and when it came to electioneering he was always trying to get one over his political opponents in our election coverage. But we never fell out.

He had some battles-royal in fighting for a seat on East Devon District Council after Axminster Rural Council was swallowed up in local government reorganisation in 1974. He went on to serve Axminster on all three authorities – Axminster Town, East Devon and Devon County, serving for more than 50 years.

He served three terms as the Mayor of Axminster and when he stood down from Devon County Council he was made an Honorary Alderman for the county, an honour which made him enormously and justly proud.

His wife, Joy, whom he adored, also served as Axminster's First Citizen, making local history because they were the first married couple to wear the mayoral chains. He was distraught when he lost his life-long partner.

Outside the council chambers, Douglas had many and varied interests – but his first priority was always the welfare of Axminster and its people. They always came first. Many of his constituents will remember him for the huge kindness he showed them in trying to sort their problems.

He had a very generous streak. Douglas suffered from dyslexia all his life but what many didn't know was that he donated a great deal of his council expenses over the years to help children in the Axe Valley who also suffered from the condition.

Axminster Museum and Axminster Carnival (remember the hobbyhorse?) were among his interests. In latter years he cut a rather charismatic figure with his goaty beard and eccentric sense of dress. Always a showman.

He was prominent during the golden years of Axminster Town Council, sitting alongside the likes of John Jeffery, Mervyn Symes, Sue Spiller and Andrew Moulding. They had their disagreements but in the end they all put Axminster first.

Four of them did their time and no longer have a seat in the Guildhall but are serving Axminster in other ways. Douglas had no intention of stepping down and revelled in the unique position of being the 'Father of Council', after serving for more than 50 years.

That feat will never be beaten. There will never be another Douglas Hull. Cut him in half and he bled Axminster. It was his life - and the town is the poorer for his passing.