TRIBUTES have been paid to former Newton Abbot Mayor and Town Crier, Ken Purchase, who has died at the age of 87.

Born in Tiverton, Ken was adopted at an early age by the Purchase family of Newton Abbot.

On leaving home at 16, he began his working life as a painter and decorator, later moving to the turbine manufacturers Centrax and then taking up a long-standing role as caretaker at the Adult Education Centre in the Passmore Edwards Building.

Always a practical and sociable man who liked to keep busy, Ken was a keen gardener who provided his family and friends with bountiful home-grown produce.

He also volunteered with the Scouts and was an active churchman and bellringer.

Ken was equally supportive of amateur dramatics, mostly behind the scenes but occasionally on stage too.

A tall man, he once emerged comedically from a panto set oven dressed as a baby complete with nappy.

When time permitted, family travel was something Ken enjoyed with Spain being a favourite destination.

It was his wife Dulcie who spotted an advertisement for the role of Newton Abbot Town Crier and Ken agreed it might be an interesting challenge.

Having secured the position, he and Dulcie would go as far afield as Australia, taking part in competitions and acting as ambassadors for the town.

Ken’s contact with the town council led to him becoming a member, impressing his colleagues sufficiently to be appointed Mayor in 2018.

After stepping back from much of his public life a few years ago, Ken, together with Dulcie, turned to volunteering at Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum.

As part of their commitment, the couple could often be seen greeting visitors to St Leonard’s Tower during its summer opening season.

In recent months, Ken’s health began to fail, leaving him frustrated he could no longer tend to his beloved garden or take part in his social and civic activities.

He died in Torbay Hospital on Friday May 9 with family at his bedside.

Mayor at the time of his passing, Cllr Alex Hall, said: ‘Ken was a man who led by example, always looking to see how he could contribute to the wellbeing of others.

‘He was admired and respected, indeed loved by most people who knew him.

‘He and his family are in our thoughts.’

Museum Curator Dr Charlotte Dixon said: ‘Ken was a long-standing volunteer at Newton Abbot Museum and for many years welcomed thousands of visitors to the medieval Clock Tower.

‘Ken always raised a smile and was a much-loved member of the museum team.

He will be greatly missed by us all.’

Ken is survived by his wife, two daughters, three grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

The Town Flag will be hung at half-mast on the day of his funeral, the date of which has yet to be confirmed.