A former journalist has been installed as the new Town Reeve of Bungay – for the fourth time.

Terry Reeve, who had a 47-year career with the publishers of the EDP and Beccles and Bungay Journal and was previously reeve in 1997, 2003 and 2015, received the chain and robes of office from outgoing reeve Steve Honeywood at the annual Town Meeting

Mr Reeve said: “When I took on this unique and ancient office for the first time in 1997 it was a great honour, and it is no less an honour today as I take it on for a fourth time.”

Eastern Daily Press: Terry Reeve is the Town Reeve of Bungay for the fourth time Picture: SubmittedTerry Reeve is the Town Reeve of Bungay for the fourth time Picture: Submitted (Image: Submitted)

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The Town Reeve heads the Bungay Town Trust, which for centuries was the town’s administrative body, looking after everything from roads and street lighting to the fire service, sanitation, housing and even some aspects of schooling.

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But in 1910 it was superseded by the local authority.

Mr Reeve, 80, said: “I will fill this proud and historic office with all the diligence and conscientiousness I can, with the support of the feoffees – we have a good, active group of feoffees at the moment, particularly people with financial and practical expertise.

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"Steve has led them very well over the past year, and I will do my best to continue that.

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"The town trust has long ceased to have any civic powers.

"But we do hold in trust for the town various properties, including the town lands, the iconic Butter Cross, the Castle Hills and 13 almshouses, and I have always believed that it is important to keep up the profile of this ancient office.

"Supporting the town council and other local organisations is important to that - we must continue to do that for the common good of this wonderful town.”

Among other roles, Mr Reeve is chairman of The Bungay Society, a churchwarden at Holy Trinity Church, on the committee of the town's football club and the tennis club and a trustee of the Bungay United Charities.