Ledbury town councillors gathered at The Talbot Hotel to pay tribute to June McQuaid, who celebrated 20 years as town clerk this week.
Mrs McQuaid was totally surprised by the buffet that awaited her on Wednesday, as careful planning had kept the party under wraps until the last minute.
She said: "My colleagues Karen Mitchell and Rosie Blandford had suggested that we go out for a meal to celebrate my 20 years. What happened was such a surprise.
"I would just like to say that I feel privileged to have been the clerk of Ledbury for two decades. It's something I'm still enjoying very much.
"When I started off, I was in one room, with one filing cabinet, three filing trays and a wooden cupboard. Now, we have 12 members of staff, a building full of offices and more filing trays than I could count."
The Mayor of Ledbury, Coun Noel Roberts, said: "June has served the community very well over the years and this celebration party was well deserved."
Mrs McQuaid was presented with a gold bracelet and a bunch of flowers.
Afterwards, the 28 guests tucked into a buffet.
The councillors paid for the party themselves, such is the esteem in which they hold Mrs McQuaid.
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