LOCAL government stalwart, Mike Bryon, has died at Cheltenham General Hospital at the age of 66, writes SOPHIE BIGNALL.
Hereford born and bred, Mr Bryon spent 38 years working with two councils in the county.
But after his retirement in 1990 he chose not to sit back and continued to serve the community in his role of Marden's village postman for eight years.
During his early years, he lived in Hunderton and attended Hereford High School for Boys before joining Hereford Rural District Council as a junior clerk in 1952.
Mr Bryon progressed through the ranks and took on the job of deputy treasurer for South Herefordshire District Council in 1978.
The biggest upheaval of his career came in 1974 when local government re-organisation saw the formation of South Herefordshire District Council.
Graham Perkins, who worked alongside Mr Bryon for many years, said: "Mike was a true Herefordian and his colleagues at the council enjoyed working with him.
"We all valued his friendship that was freely given, his sense of humour and his practical approach to getting things done.
"He was respected by councillors and staff alike. His old work colleagues have lost a true friend."
After retirement, Mr Bryon pursued his interest in cricket and was a member of the Herefordshire County Cricket Club as well as the groundsman for Marden Cricket Club, his home village, for many years.
Mr Bryon's son, Andrew said: "We all loved him very much and we are all going to miss him."
Mr Bryon leaves his wife of 33 years, Elizabeth, sons Andrew Michael (31) and James Robert (25), two-year-old grandson, Thomas Andrew and 'George' his faithful collie cross dog who went everywhere with him.
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