There was a full complement of Ripon city councillors and a unanimous vote of thanks to Charlie Powell, when the council held a special meeting to recognise his long service.

Over 19 years the former councillor, who retired from local politics at the May elections, served both the Moorside and Minster wards.

In addition to being a parish councillor, he also represented Ripon for 10 years as an independent on Harrogate Borough Council.

The long service award was presented by the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Cllr Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke.

Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, council leader Andrew Williams, said:

“Charlie served diligently and played a key role in a number of developments, not least his work in encouraging Curzon to open a cinema in the city, more than 30 years after the Palladium Picture House closed its doors.”

He added:

“With Curzon’s opening in 2013, local residents no longer had to make the journey to Harrogate or Thirsk to see the latest film releases.”

Curzon’s cinema on North Street Ripon

Cllr Pauline McHardy, said:

“Charlie has provided wonderful service to help improve the lives of people in Ripon and we all wish him a long and happy retirement from local politics.”

Before seeking election, Mr Powell served for 15 years in the Royal Engineers, then became a firefighter in Ripon for two years before starting out on a business career that took him all around the world.

He spent 18 years in Saudi Arabia, where he worked for the military aircraft division of the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), then moved on to become a senior administrator with Waste Management International Ltd in Jeddah.

The business acumen that he gained over many years was put to good use in negotiations with Curzon  and in guiding the development of Quarry Moor Park and Nature Reserve as a place for public enjoyment.

A former deputy mayor, he has also been a stalwart supporter of Ripon in Bloom.