Breckland Council, Thetford Town Council, Thetford Town Concert Committee, the Thetford Festival, Norwich Road Residents' Association, Barnham Cross Residents Association, the Thetford Society, Thetford Scouts.

Eastern Daily Press: Former Mayor of Thetford and EDP original, Colin Armes.Opening Thetford Post OfficeFormer Mayor of Thetford and EDP original, Colin Armes.Opening Thetford Post Office (Image: Archant norfolk)

If you've ever been a member of any of these groups, or ever had help from any of them, there's a good chance you'll know Colin Armes.

In fact, there's a decent chance you owe him a debt of gratitude for setting them up in the first place.

When it comes to Thetford, there aren't too many people who can match the 84-year-old for civic engagement, volunteering or sheer popularity.

And having twice served as mayor of the town, he's something of an authority on its politics too.

But this week saw Mr Armes take on a new role for the first time - that of mayor consort, after his wife of 55 years, Sylvia, became mayor.

Having had so many years with his hands on the wheel as a town, district and county councillor for 33 years, how will taking a back seat feel?

Sat bathed in sunshine in the conservatory of his home in Jellicoe Place, he says the situation suits him.

'I can give a little bit of advice - not orders - but having been mayor twice I know the pitfalls.

'My wife is very much her own lady and won't need my help, but if I make suggestions she takes it on board and makes up her own mind.'

If Mrs Armes does seek out her husband's help, she will be drawing on a deep well of experience.

Born in Thetford in 1930, he left school at 14 before starting his National Service at 18.

That led to a posting in Singapore until 1950, before meeting his soon-to-be wife in 1956 at a dance in Attleborough.

It wasn't until 20 years later that the politics bug took hold.

Disgruntled at the performance of the Government at the time, he decided it was time to 'put up or shut up'.

He was soon co-opted on to Thetford Town Council, at a time when its powers were much greater.

'In those days we ran nearly everything in the town and people were a lot happier with their local council than they are now.

'We used to have a borough surveyor who would walk around the town every morning and if anything needed doing, he would send someone along straight away.

'Now we have contractors being called by Breckland, which is 25 miles away. I'm not sure they really know what's going on here.'

Never comfortable with being a co-opted councillor, he says he was relieved to win his first elections, before earning a place on Breckland Council.

It was then that he set about trying to improve the town, with a string of initiatives to follow - and highlights not hard to come by.

He picks out the creation of the Gentle Bridge, the protection of Barnham Cross Common and the redevelopment of the Shambles in the town centre as three.

But there's a special sense of pride in his description of his help to find a campsite for Thetford's scout group.

'I was approached when I was mayor to see if I would be the scout's chair for the area. I said I would, but only if they told me what they were trying to achieve and what they needed most.

'They said they needed a campsite, so that's what I said we were going to do.

'After a lot of hard work, we ended up getting the lease for the site near Two Mile Bottom. We had to raise every penny to provide toilet blocks and the water supply, but we did it.

'That's what being involved in the local community is about to me - getting things done.'

And it's hard to think of a person who has been more involved in Thetford's community.

He says the town means 'everything' to him, describing it as 'as friendly a place as you'll come across'.

As I leave, he shakes me by the hand, his fingers engrained with dirt from his latest passion - tending to his garden.

Whoever is lucky enough to have the house next will inherit a beautiful plot, a real labour of love. But then Colin Armes never has been afraid to get his hands dirty.