AFTER 27 years in the role, Rachel Smith is standing down as the clerk of Blunsdon St Andrew Parish Council.

For almost three decades, she has helped residents in both the village and North Swindon with a huge range of problems.

To mark the event, a special lunch was held for her on Wednesday which was attended by the four chairman she has worked with during her time in the role.

Over the years, the parish has changed dramatically but Rachel says she has loved the job throughout.

“I have enjoyed it all,” she said.

“When I started it was for just a few hours which was perfect with my family but over time it has grown to more than a full-time job.

“I have always liked trying to solve the problems residents have and finding answers to questions rather than just pass it on to someone else. It is a job where no two days are the same.”

Like many parts of the borough, Blunsdon Parish has also seen huge amount building work take place over the years, with the building of Abbey Meads, Redhouse and the Tadpole Garden Village Development.

Rachel said: “The parish has changed beyond all recognition. At the beginning it was just the village and a few outlying farms but it has grown and there are thousands more houses.

“It means the job has changed but you just have to adapt with it. There have been thousands of planning applications over the years to look at, from small extensions to 1,700 home developments.

“I certainly know more about planning law than I ever thought I would.”

The four chairmen who attended Wednesday’s lunch were Frank Eggleton, who was in charge from 1989 to 1998, Colin Shiner, from 1998 to 2004, Stuart Boyd from 2004 to 2013 and the current chairman Ian Jankinson.

Ian said: “Rachel has been absolutely fantastic and been incredibly helpful to all the chairman. It seems she is never off-duty.

“Her knowledge of the area has been incredibly valuable and her ability to build good contacts with the borough council have been invaluable.

“We are all incredibly grateful for everything Rachel has done.”

Rachel will not be leaving the parish entirely and will be the responsible finance officer.

Tracey Cole will be the new parish clerk and will be based at the Redhouse Community Centre.