TRIBUTES have been paid to a councillor who served his community for more than 50 years.

Paul Ryland was born on June 24, 1942, to Evelyn Anne and Norman Ryland.

His father was the local butcher and his mother had a sweetshop in Newland Street.

Paul was the youngest of three children, having two older sisters, Norma and Patricia.

He went to Alleyn Court School, in Westcliff, and Felsted School.

He then attended Writtle Agricultural College and was very active in Witham Young Farmers, helping to run it as a business and using the money to create the charity for educating young farmers. This is now run by the County Federation.

Paul was actively involved in local politics from a very early age until his death in April.

His commitment to Witham was unwavering, and he actively served for many years on Witham Urban District Council and then Witham Town Council.

He took a deep and knowledgeable interest in every aspect of Witham’s life and development.

In his early 20s Paul travelled to America and spent two years there, working and travelling.

He worked for Greyhound at the 1964 World’s Fair, where he met Walt Disney. He also worked at ski resorts in Colorado and made many lifelong friends.

Upon his return, he opened the first Wimpy Bar in Witham.

In 1976, Paul took a job with Bentall’s, in Maldon, and travelled all over the world, building grain and coffee silos.

Over the next ten years he worked in Africa, Iran, Syria and South America. While working for Bentalls he met and married wife Susan. They have one son, Charles, born in 1984.

In 1983, Paul built Old Parsonage Court, a beautiful residential development of 11 properties in Guithavon Street designed by Clive Plumb. He lived there with his family until his death, aged 78.

In 1992, he opened the first lettings agency in Witham – Witham Letting Services, now known as Witlet.

He retired recently but still enjoyed property development projects as well as his keen involvement with Witham matters. He could be found every morning in James Cooke Woods walking with his dogs.

Son Charles said: “He will be remembered for his love of Witham and his commitment to the town.”

A family funeral will be held on Monday.

The family have requested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to Witham Tree Group which plants and supports trees around Witham – a cause very close to Paul’s heart.

For more information on how to make a donation, please contact Hunnaball of Witham on 01376 511592.