A MAN described as a “great public servant to the people of Pembrokeshire” has taken the seat as chairman of the county council.

Cllr Simon Hancock, local historian and museum curator, is the chairman for the next year, with Cllr Michael James of St Dogmaels voted in as his vice-chairman today (May 10).

Cllr Hancock, who is also a magistrate, joined the county council in 1995 Cllr David Lloyd told members. He is one of three existing founder members.

He added that Cllr Hancock had been on Neyland Town Council since 1987 and was currently mayor – a role he had held on eight previous occasions.

Cllr Hancock has also been a member of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and is an appointed member of Hywel Dda Health Board.

He succeeds Councillor Aden Brinn of Pembroke.

Born and bred in Neyland, he has been the curator of Haverfordwest Town Museum in the town’s castle for the past 21 years.

He obtained a Ph.D from Cardiff University in 2015 in recognition of his thesis on Pembrokeshire in the First World War.

Cllr Hancock is well known in the community for his charity work which includes serving on the local boards of Mencap and the Blind Society. He is also Chairman of the VC Gallery.

He is married to Christina and has two step-daughters, Miss Kim Furness and Mrs Helen Keir who will act as his Consort.

“Simon brings a fine mind and total commitment to all that he does,” said Cllr Lloyd, adding that he would add an “exciting dimension” to the role.

Cllr Hancock said he took the chairman’s oath of acceptance extremely seriously and is “mindful that we are representatives and servants of some 123,000 Pembrokeshire residents.”