Tributes after death of councillor Frank Letch

Frank Letch, chairman of Mid Devon District Council, died on Tuesday

Tributes are being paid to the chairman of a district council who died on Tuesday.

Frank Letch was chairman of Mid Devon District Council, the Devon County Council member for Crediton, and was appointed an MBE for his charity and community work.

Letch, a father of five, was born without arms and went on to a successful career as a teacher while also exhibiting dogs at Crufts and campaigning for several charities while serving as a councillor.

Colleagues at Mid Devon said throughout his career he would advocate "for fairness and representation for everyone".

'Close to his heart'

Luke Taylor, Liberal Democrat leader of Mid Devon District Council, said: "Frank poured his heart and soul into local politics and would always represent his communities to the highest of standards, as he would expect from us all.

"He never shied away from stepping forward to represent others, be that through his role as a local councillor or through supporting charities and organisations close to his heart."

Letch was mayor of Crediton for 13 years and served on Mid Devon District Council from 2015 and on Devon County Council from 2021.

Taylor said: "This council will be a poorer place without Frank's dedication and enthusiasm to local politics and he will be missed by elected members from across all parties."

His wife Natalia said Letch was a big bright light in her life

Letch was born in June 1944 in London. He studied French and Italian at Birmingham University and lived in Wales and Scotland before moving to Devon in the mid-1990s.

The council said his response when asked about his disability was: "Most people know that I was born without arms.

"Nobody knows why and it doesn't really matter if they do because it won't change anything, will it?"

Letch had roles with several charities, including Reach, Devon in Sight, the Jubilee Sailing Trust and a local preschool and was awarded the MBE in the New Year's honours list in 2015 for his work in the local community.

Letch had five children with his wife Helen, who died in 1990. His second wife Natalia is a member of Mid Devon District Council.

She said Letch was a "big bright light in our lives".

"I was lucky to be under his warm and gentle light of love and care," she said

"But everyone in our town and much wider community benefited from his light.

"His talent of administrator, his ability to listen and help."

Devon County Council will hold elections on 1 May and a full list of all of the candidates is available here.