3 March, 2004

David Addy, Director of Finance, has retired after working for 35 years first with Bury St Edmunds Borough Council and then, from 1974, with St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

Born in Bury St Edmunds, David was educated at KingEdwardVIGrammar School and went on to NewcastleUniversity. He came back to his home town and started as a clerical assistant in 1969. Before long he took the opportunity to move into the newly-created specialism of computers and then moved through different areas of the Finance Department before becoming Director in 1993.

At last week's full Council meeting, the Mayor of St Edmundsbury, Cllr David Lockwood, Council Leader, Cllr John Griffiths, Labour Group Leader, Cllr Sheila Wormleighton, and Independent Group Leader, Cllr Mike Ames, all paid tribute to David's calm, professional manner and thanked him for the support he had given to all councillors over the years.

Cllr Lockwood said:

"David has shown tremendous commitment and loyalty throughout the years."

Cllr Griffiths added:

"David’s friendship and support will be greatly missed by colleagues across the organisation and we all wish him the best for the future.”

At his presentation on Friday, past and present staff joined Chief Executive Deborah Cadman and councillors to say farewell. Assistant Director Graham Moore, who worked with David for 16 years, said he was well-known for being "very calm, patient and unruffled with the ability to explain things very clearly. He doesn't criticise and has always been very quietly supportive of people who want to progress and develop."

After being presented with a top class set of headphones, and a broadband wireless modem for his home computer, David, who is a keen guitarist, birdwatcher and local historian, said:

"People have been asking me what I intend to do now I'm retiring. I've decided that if something is good enough for an 18-year-old then it's good enough for me - I'm taking a gap year."

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News editor note: If you want to arrange a photograph of David call him on 01284 704247.