ONE of North Yorkshire's longest serving councillors has died at the age of 73.
Gordon Horner, of Huby, served councils across the Hambleton district.
A farmer by trade, Mr Horner served on Hambleton District Council from its creation in 1973 until his retirement before this month's elections. He also served on Huby Parish Council until this year.
An independent councillor throughout his career, he served as chairman of Hambleton District Council for two years, from 1992 to 1994.
In earlier years, Mr Horner was chairman of the old Easingwold Rural District Council, and was chairman of the village hall committee for 17 years from 1952.
He lived in Huby with his Dutch-born wife, Martha.
Mr Horner followed the family tradition of farming, and in recent years was renowned for singing while driving his tractor through the village. He was formerly a member of an amateur dramatic society.
Hambleton District Council's former leader, June Imeson, said: "He was a great raconteur. He was full of jokes and fun, always had something funny to say and was a very popular and conscientious councillor."
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