A councillor and former mayor is giving up her seat after 18 years for the sake of her two dogs.
Shirley Weymouth is preparing to move from her Hemsby ward to Caister where she says she can more easily exercise her pets close to the beach at the end of Second Avenue.
She said she had loved serving her community, especially as mayor, and would miss being at forefront of local politics, but that her dachshunds Penny and Roger were her world.
She said: “With moving out of the East Flegg Ward (Hemsby, Winterton and Somerton) I decided not to be considered for re-selection, so I will no longer be a borough councillor as from next month.
“I have been so privileged to have been a borough councillor and I would like to thank you everyone very much for all their help and support over the years, it has been so gratefully received and appreciated.
“During that time the greatest honour that could have been given me was being mayor to the borough. I met so many wonderful people including the young people; the memories will remain with me always.”
MORE: Yarmouth by-election to be held after councillor quits her seatMrs Weymouth was elected to Winterton and Somerton ward for the Conservatives in 2000.
When Hemsby was added in under a boundary change she moved there to better represent her constituents.
Now however, after years of service, she is moving again - still close to the sea but with better access to the car park, walks and benches.
She is on both the licensing and environmental health committees of the borough council.
“I have really loved it and I will miss it so much,” she said. “I have to alter my lifestyle. My dogs are my top priority and I need to be where I can walk them.
“Hopefully they might consider me for Caister. I think it will depend how it goes this time round.”
Mrs Weymouth, who has a curved spine and osteoporosis, is a familiar sight pushing her two dogs around Hemsby in a pushchair.
Both animals struggle with mobility and Roger has a bad back.
Mrs Weymouth has been heavily involved in health committees, attending meetings at the James Paget Hospital and participation groups for the coastal practices.
In the aftermath of the 2013 storm surge she was at the forefront of erosion issues, especially at The Marrams, and was instrumental in setting up an emergency plan for Hemsby now being lead by the volunteer lifeboat crew.
The seat is being contested on May 3 by Edward Bush (Labour) and Noel Galer (Conservatives).
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