Tributes have been paid from across Cornwall following the death of a councillor who has dedicated more than 40 years of service to the town he grew up in.

Hayle Town Council announced the death of John Pollard on its Facebook page last night, with a tribute recognising decades of service to the community.

Mr Pollard served as both a town councillor since 1982 and Cornwall councillor for Hayle North, with two terms as mayor of Hayle between 1986 and 1988, and four years as Leader of Cornwall Council. He served as an Independent councillor on the unitary authority for more than a decade, before deciding not to stand for re-election in the May 2021 local elections.

He was also made a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd, for services to Cornish heritage and history.

Hayle Town Council said: “It is with great sadness that we report the unexpected passing of Councillor John Pollard.

“John has dedicated over 40 years' service to the town, including two years as town mayor, and has also served as a Cornwall Councillor, four years as Leader. He worked tirelessly and achieved so much for Hayle and Cornwall, he will be sorely missed.

“Our thoughts are with his family and many close friends at this time. RIP John.”

Falmouth Packet: John Pollard as leader of Cornwall Council in 2016, with Adam Paynter (left) and then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid John Pollard as leader of Cornwall Council in 2016, with Adam Paynter (left) and then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid (Image: From file)

Mr Pollard was brought up in Hayle, where his parents owned a sweet shop in Copperhouse, with a young John often found helping out behind the counter.

After attending Penpol Primary School and Humphry Davy Grammar School, he went on to train as a teacher in Coventry.

It was here he met his wife Jean, and he taught in the Midlands for almost ten years before they returned to his home town. Mr Pollard was able to get a job teaching at Humphry Davy School, a newly established comprehensive school at that time.

He taught here for 25 years, rising to become deputy headteacher, before his retirement in 2004. He and his wife have two grown up sons.

Mr Pollard has spoken in the past of one of his proudest achievements while as a councillor, chairing the Millennium Committee that oversaw improvements to the King George V Memorial Walk.

He also chaired the St Ives Bay Sewage Action Committee, which successfully prevented raw sewage being pumped into the bay.

Writing in 2017, he said: “Council work can be frustrating but it is a privilege to serve the community, and with determination and tenacity we are able to bring about change and improvement and enable the people’s voice to be heard.”

Outside of council work, he supervised Hayle’s youth club at one point, and had a keen interest in local history, helping record the St Ives Memory Bay project looking at different artists and their role in the community.

He chaired the Harvey's Foundry Trust, supporting the Hayle Archive and the Hayle Oral History Project, and was also involved in Penwith Radio.

News of his death has shocked the community of West Cornwall and beyond, with many remembering a community-spirited man and “rare breed of councillor”, who was described as showing “genuine concern for his constituents.”

One person described him as: “A lovely generous man, always doing things for others.”

Another wrote: “John was a lovely man, I was lucky to sit and sell poppies with him this year. John worked hard for Hayle. He will be missed.”