A PILLAR in the community of Wellington is to retire at the end of the month after a career of 30 years with Avon and Somerset Police.

Sgt Viv Calloway has been a key figure in the town for the past four years, working to protect the public and has campaigned tirelessly to install safety measures including closed circuit television and introduce a booze ban which comes into effect as he leaves his post.

He was born October 8, 1953, at Musgrove Park Hospital. He spent the first ten years of his life growing up at Symonsburrow, near Hemyock, where he attended the local primary school.

When the family moved to Rockwell Green in 1964 he finished his primary schooling and then went to Court Fields School in Wellington before making his first step into the police force.

"I joined the police cadets when I was nearly 17 and this was a great experience because it gave me a good insight into what policing was all about," he said.

See full picture story in the County Gazette (Friday, October 4).