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Martin Ray retiring as chief executive today
EASTBOURNE Borough council chief executive Martin Ray steps down from his post today (Friday).
The council veteran is retiring after 35 years of working at the Town Hall in Grove Road.
Originally from south Wales, Martin moved from Maidstone to Eastbourne in 1974 as an assistant solicitor.
By the 1980s he was borough solicitor, responsible for all the legal and democratic business within the authority.
He worked under former chief executives Peter Humpherson, Alvan Bloor, Mike Blanche and Sari Conway before taking over as chief executive in 2001.
He has seen many changes in the town since he first arrived in Eastbourne as work began on the Arndale Centre.
"The changes in 35 years have been numerous because the town has grown so much," he said. "Willingdon Trees, Shinewater and Sovereign Harbour are all new residential areas, the harbour was built, the Towner, there have been so many changes."
Mr Ray has also been involved in every borough council, county council and General Election for the past 30 years.
One of his long lasting memories was the historic by-election called when Eastbourne MP Ian Gow was murdered by the IRA in July 1990 and the Conservative Party lost the parliamentary seat to Liberal Democrat David Bellotti.
Mr Ray is a keen member of Eastbourne Rugby Club and he and his partner Monica are both keen walkers. The couple have just bought a new house in Hailsham. He also enjoys annual trips with friends to the battlefields in Europe.
Mr Ray's final day at the Town Hall is today and he celebrates his 60th birthday later this month.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
