Councillor George Pickett Retires

They say a new broom sweeps clean, but an old hand wielding a new broom does even better.

There was a surprise gift in store for the grand old man of Canvey, Coun. George Pickett pictured, who made his farewell to Essex County Council at its highways meeting yesterday.

He was given the “brush off in the nicest way possible, for the committee presented him with a new broom so that Labour man George, now in his 80s, could still lend a hand with a spot of street sweeping.

Mr. Bert Lewis, from Essex highways maintenance branch, presented him with the broom and a tribute was paid to him by committee chairman Coun. Bob Dan­iels.

Coun. Pickett, of Delfzul Road, Canvey, had been held in high esteem, he said and had brought light-hearted relief during serious debate when it was most needed.