Clr. Eric Feetham, affectionately known as 'Mr. Narberth', is celebrating his 40th year on the town council.

Eighty-three-year-old Clr. Feetham's ruby anniversary was marked at Tuesday night's monthly meeting of the council when current Mayor, Clr. Ms. Suzanne Radford-Smith, presented him with a tree for his beloved garden and fellow councillors toasted his four decades of service to the town.

A retired businessman in the town, running the Spar Stores in High Street, for over 30 years, Clr. Feetham's colourful local government career began in 1968 when he was co-opted onto Narberth Urban Council by the then chairman, the late Clr. Charles Salmon, after being nominated by the late Clr. S. I. P. Williams.

He went on to represent the urban council on the old Pembrokeshire County Council's planning committee and became a member of South Pembrokeshire District Council in 1974 and was honoured to be chairman in 1984-85.

Clr. Feetham has donned the scarlet robes as Mayor of Narberth an amazing six times - 1978-79 and 1979-80, 1995-96, 2000-01, 2002-03 and 2006-07 - and on each occasion, his wife of over 50 years, Doris, has been at his side as Mayoress.

Clr. Feetham is a much-loved and respected character in the town, so it is not surprising that he has also dedicated his life to many community groups and organisations.

He was one of the founder members of Narberth Civic Week and is a current life president, he is the chairman of the Narberth in Bloom committee, and is a past chairman of the Queen's Hall committee and life member. He is also a life member of Narberth Chamber of Trade, a member of Bloomfield Sports Association, Narberth Future Forum and is the town council's representative on Age Concern.

He was awarded the coveted MBE in June 2005 for services to the community and was thrilled to visit Buckingham Palace and meet HM The Queen to receive his accolade.

It was fitting, too, that he was indeed congratulated by his colleagues for his continued fight to solve drainage problems at the town's Carding Mill Lane.

At this week's meeting, Clr. Feetham confirmed that Pembrokeshire County Council would be carrying out work to unblock the drains at the site and would also be clearing mud from the footpath and laying a bonded material on it afterwards.

"Congratulations Clr. Feetham, you've stuck at Carding Mill Lane with grim tenacity," said Clr. Mrs. Val Bradley.

Tribute has also been paid to Clr. Feetham's 40 years in service by current County Councillor, Wynne Evans.

He said: "Eric has dedicated much of his life to the benefit of Narberth and its people and it has been a pleasure to work alongside him. His guidance and local knowledge continues to be a source of inspiration, and I am proud of his achievements over the years, and there have been many. He is to me Mr. Narberth."