A FORMER student at Wellington School who went on to become Mayor of Taunton Deane has died at the age of 60.

Ken Hayward was a Conservative district councillor for two terms and was elected mayor four years after being voted into Deane House.

As Mayor he completed 560 engagements - from opening fetes to visiting Buckingham Palace with his wife Mary.

Mr Hayward was born in Taunton, the youngest of six children, although one sister died in infancy. The family farmed in Brompton Ralph before moving to Trull.

He attended Wellington School where he met lifelong friend Shaun Chafey, who introduced him to Mary.

The couple were engaged within three weeks and married in February, 1979, setting up home in Wellington and having two sons, Bradley and William.

He was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in February, 2017, undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy.

During this time, the couple renewed their vows, cruised the western Mediterranean and visited the Canary Islands. 

The present Mayor Cllr Catherine Herbert said: “Ken was a great colleague. He was always looking for ways to help and support the community.”

His funeral was held on Monday.