Tributes paid to Alderman Kenneth Twyble as he retires from council life after 30 years of service

Speaking at the council’s monthly meeting on Monday April 24, Council’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Paul Greenfield, congratulated Alderman Twyble on 30 years of public service and wished him well in his retirement.

“You joined Council in 1993 and have served since then,” he said.

“You were Mayor in Craigavon Council in ’97-’98 and again in ’06-’07 with a spell as deputy mayor in ’07-’08.

“I have been to many events with Alderman Twyble this year and as most of you will know, you don’t go to an event with him without someone coming up and saying he was my teacher.

“You were vice principal of Killicomaine JHS and have always had a keen interest in the education of young people throughout our borough and the area you represented.

“In more recent years, you have been Chair of the South Lakes Leisure Committee and the project board, so on behalf of all the members and staff we want to wish you well in your time of retirement and every blessing and strength also.”

DUP group leader Alderman Mark Baxter described Ald Twyble as a “well known and well respected individual” and thanked him for his manner in the chamber throughout the years.

“I have never heard a cross word out of his mouth in this place, we have not always agreed but he was always very nice and pleasant and courteous to me as a councillor over the years.”

Sinn Fein group leader, Councillor Liam Mackle wished Ald Twyble all the best in his retirement telling the chamber he looks back fondly on their time in the legacy Craigavon council and ABC council and the “many eventful evenings” they have shared.

Holding back the tears, Councillor Julie Flaherty led the UUP’s tributes to her friend Ald Twyble, telling the chamber he was “one of a kind”.

“Ald Twyble has taken his seat for the last time on Council. He does so after a lifetime of service which started way back in 1993,” she said.

“Kenneth has served diligently as a Mayor twice and a deputy Mayor. It would actually be much easier to list the committees he has not been part of in the last 30 years.

“He has achieved all of this whilst serving as a dedicated teacher for 37 years with 10 of those as a vice principal. As has been said, there is no-one you will speak to that does not know Kenneth from Killicomaine.

“As the UUP say farewell to Kenneth from elected politics, I know I speak for all of my colleagues when I reflect on an alderman, mentor and friend for whom I have the utmost respect.”

She continued: “I have known him all of my life, word is he was at my christening at Edenderry Methodist Church. He taught me at school, not all the Latin stuck but we are still trying to get there.

“As some of you may know, he supported my family through the church throughout Jake’s short life. He put a supportive arm around me when I first made the leap into elected politics and he has supported me ever since.

“He has shaped so many of us in the UUP over the years without ever really knowing it. His wise words, calm nature and faith will perhaps be more necessary than ever as we move into a new mandate without him.

“We are fortunate to have a growing group of new candidates who I am certain will need his sage advice and it will very much be needed and appreciated for a long time yet.

“He is one of a kind and we will miss him dreadfully.”

Council’s Deputy Lord Mayor, Tim McClelland described Ald Twyble as an “absolute gentleman” and wished him “all the very best” in his retirement.

Thanking everyone for their kind words, Ald Twyble told the chamber it was a “privilege” to have served the people for 30 years and to have influenced so many young people during his teaching career.

“My entire career was spent in Killicomaine Junior High School, I think it was 37 years as a teacher and I suppose the real reason I entered politics was because of my principal, David Riley,” he said.

“Mr Riley had an interest in politics and knew I did and he encouraged me to step forward.

“Little did I realise that in 1993 I would be stepping forward for a period of 30 years. It has been a wonderful privilege and, as I say, I don’t feel I deserve the tributes as it was my privilege to represent the people.

“I suppose you could say it was a little bit in the veins. My father was a councillor in Portadown and his cousin was a councillor in Lurgan. It has been a privilege to be involved in politics, influencing people for good.

“Yes, we have our arguments but we are taking decisions for the good of people and it has been a wonderful privilege to do that.”