Death of Barnstaple’s longest serving councillor

Barnstaple Town Council has paid tribute following the passing of Councillor Valerie Monk.

Mrs Monk’s funeral will be held at St Peter and St Mary Magdalene Church in Barnstaple on Thursday (July 11) at 11am.

Known to everyone as ‘Val’, Mrs Monk served as the town councillor for Forches for nearly three decades and was a staunch defender of her community.

The council paid tribute with a statement online and in social media, to say it was saddened to hear of her passing.

The statement went on: “Cllr Monk was first elected to Barnstaple Town Council in 1995 and served the Forches ward and the community of Barnstaple with great passion and commitment until the day she died.

“She was our longest-serving councillor and devoted 29 years of her life to Barnstaple Town Council. She will be greatly missed by councillors and staff.

“We send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to her family and friends at this very difficult time.”