A WOMAN affectionately known as a council's iron lady is stepping down after 34 years.
June Imeson has served since Hambleton District Council's inception in 1973.
As a councillor, she has fought passionately for the interests of Hambleton, and in particular Great Ayton.
She campaigned for the sculpture of Captain James Cook that stands in Great Ayton's High Green, and sees her crowning glory as saving Great Ayton from becoming part of Teesside, as part of the Government's boundary reorganisations in the early 1970s.
As part of her protest, she organised a 200-car motorcade that travelled from Great Ayton to Northallerton.
In 2003 she was awarded an OBE for services to Great Ayton and Hambleton and was made vice-chairwoman of the council, becoming chairwoman in 2004.
"The staff of Hambleton have been fantastic," said Mrs Imeson. "The members have been great and it has been a great honour and privilege to serve for 34 years."
Mrs Imeson is still a parish councillor for Great Ayton and is president of the Great Ayton Conservative Association.
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