A NEW name, new appointments and fond farewells were celebrated this week at The Community Council of Devon’s Annual General Meeting.

Sparklers and a fantastic cake accompanied the unveiling of the long established charity’s new identity, followed by the presentation of gifts and fond farewells as trustees, staff and members saw the departure of their long standing President, Sir Eric Dancer KCVO CBE JP, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, Vice President Peter Dunning, Vice President Margaret Garten and Chairman David Baker.

David Baker, a member of the Board for 13 years and, Chair for 5 years, thanked the staff for the lovely gifts and flowers for his wife Jill “I have enjoyed my years as your Chairman and wish you all success with the new name and for the future of the organisation.”

An eventful evening, the Board of Trustees ratified the new operating name Devon Communities Together, and also welcomed their new President, former High Sheriff of Devon, John Lee OBE and new Chair former Vice-Chair of the Board, Teresa Butchers FCIH.

The charity has operated for over 50 years, establishing a wide rural reach and a long history of supporting communities with its work involving affordable rural housing, neighbourhood planning, village halls, sports facilities, community services and social enterprise.

In recent years, there has been a call to change the name as the term ‘council’ often causes confusion and the feeling was that the name no longer represented what the organisation does.

Elaine Cook, chief executive, said: "Devon Communities Together is constantly evolving to keep pace with the ever changing social, cultural and economic needs of communities in Devon.

This name change forms part of that commitment and the charity's commitment to support our joint vision of dynamic communities shaping their own futures."