Sadly on Tuesday 8 April 2025, the Council’s current Chairman, and a very well-known figure in the Crediton community and beyond, Councillor Frank Letch MBE, died following an illness.

The Leader of Mid Devon District Council, Luke Taylor, along with colleagues, have released the below tribute to Frank who was an active part of Mid Devon District Council for 10 years.

Councillor Luke Taylor, said:

“Frank poured his heart and soul into local politics and would always represent his communities to the highest of standards, as he would expect from us all. He never shied away from stepping forward to represent others, be that through his role as a local councillor or through supporting charities and organisations close to his heart. He took on many roles at the Council, including scrutiny, planning and equality, and despite his busy schedule, and latterly his poor health, he continued to advocate for fairness and representation for everyone. This Council will be a poorer place without Frank’s dedication and enthusiasm to local politics and he will be missed by elected Members from across all parties.”

Councillor Frank Letch's Obituary:

Frank was born in June 1944 in the East End of London, which at that time was being regularly bombed. Frank spent his first eleven years of education in special schools where he passed 10 O Levels and later went on to grammar school where he achieved three A levels. While Frank remained in London to sit his A Levels his parents and sister moved to Cheriton Bishop for his father’s work.

Frank attended Birmingham University to study French and Italian in 1963 and after graduating he spent five years teaching in Birmingham and married Helen, before moving to Bala in Wales. Here Frank continued his career teaching in English and later in Welsh. He was a very keen linguist.

Most people know that Frank was born without arms and his response when asked about this was:

"Most people know that I was born without arms. Nobody knows why and it doesn't really matter if they do because it won't change anything will it?”

Frank retired in 1992 to concentrate on his five children and their kennel of dogs, after his wife Helen sadly died in 1990. Frank was a Kennel Club certified dog trainer but also was a well-known exhibitor, winning several times at Crufts.
In 1995 Frank moved to Scotland but decided that Scotland was not for him and moved to Devon where he chose Crediton. Over the years Frank has had roles with several charities including Reach (Association for Children with upper limb deficiency) Devon in Sight, the Jubilee Sailing Trust and a local preschool. Because of his work and commitment to his local community Frank was awarded the MBE in the New Year's honours list in 2015.

Frank was first elected to Mid Devon District Council in 2015 and to Devon County Council in 2021. He was the Mayor of Crediton for 13 years and was elected Chairman of Mid Devon District Council in 2023. As well as being a councillor for Crediton Town and Devon County Councils Frank also chaired many Mid Devon committees, including Scrutiny.

During his time as Mid Devon’s Chairman Frank promoted and supported ‘Access for All’ and Devon Young Carers through two very successful Civic Services as well as hosting the 50th Anniversary celebration of the district council and the Council’s D Day 80th Anniversary.

Frank is survived by his wife Natalia, who is a serving member of Mid Devon District Council.

His colleagues in Democratic Services, who supported him during his role, said:

"Frank always put his constituents’ welfare first particularly in relation to housing. He was a stickler for correct spelling and grammar in officer reports but always put people at ease. Frank was a true gentleman who was always smiling and popular with our officers for his cheerfulness and sense of humour. We will always remember his love for an inspirational ‘thought for the day’ at the full Council meetings he chaired.”