A BIG personality is needed to fill the shoes vacated by Millie Scaife, former chairman of Sadberge Village Hall Association.

A devoted and loyal chairman for 20 years, she has organised dozens of concerts and plays, set up hundreds of community activities and written and produced seven village hall pantomimes.

Her tireless energy, enthusiasm and commitment made her a pivotal figure in the village and her unswerving loyalty to the village's young and old could always be relied upon.

Now with a busy full-time job and a host of personal commitments, the 53-year-old family learning co-ordinator with Stockton Council has decided to step down.

But she is adamant that there is no way she is bowing out of village life.

"I will still be attending all village events and be a frequent visitor to the village hall. You can't get rid of me that easily," she told the D&S Times. "I treat the Sadberge community as my extended family and always will."

Mrs Scaife moved to the village in 1974 with her PE teacher husband, John.

Now with three grown-up children, one grandchild and a heavy workload in her new job, she feels she can no longer give as much to the association as she has in the past.

"John retires in July and stepping down means I can spend at least one evening a week at home with him."

The Rev Robert Cooper, vicar of St Andrew's, Sadberge, paid tribute to his friend. He said: "So much fun happens around Millie. She loves a party and makes life a party for everyone else."

Joan Vickers, vice-chairman of the village hall association, will step into the breach until a new chairman is found