A COUPLE who have provided more than 40 years of service to Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council have retired.

Ralph White, who was head groundsman, and his wife, Helen, who was caretaker and cleaner at the Civic Centre, were given a special send off.

Between them they provided 43 years of service, and are now renting a flat in London and enjoying some sight seeing.

Ralph, 58, said: “I was there about 23 years and before that I worked for Swindon Council. We were lucky to be able to get a pension and retire early “I am already missing the community. With my job you are constantly bumping into people and it is only when you move away that you realise what a tight-knit community Wootton Bassett is.

“You get to know so many people over the years. We are renting out our house in Wootton Bassett and using the money to rent a flat in London.

“Depending on how it goes we will probably be staying here for three or four years and then going back home. We are probably going to look for part time work while we are down here.”

Ralph and Helen were given a send off by the town council last month, which about 100 people attended.

Wootton Bassett mayor Mike Leighfield presented the couple with matching watches.

“We were really overwhelmed. The Royal British Legion, the sea cadets, army cadets, and the museum and heritage group all came and did a presentation of appreciation certificates,” said Ralph.

Ralph and Helen were in the headlines last year when they were both picked as volunteers for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Ralph, who was a volunteer driver, said: “I was working long 10-hour days which basically consisted of collecting the keys to your BMW and running people around, including officials, team managers, interpreters.

“I didn’t meet anyone I recognised, but I had people from the Indian Olympic Committee and the Slovakia Olympic Committee, and just a general mix of people.

“I was able to go to a rehearsal of the opening ceremony and into Hyde Park where they had four huge screens, and into the Olympic Park.”

The couple are hoping to work at Wimbledon for the tennis championships this summer.