A TEACHER who has been at the helm of trade union activity in Bridgwater for more than a decade, has stood down.

At its recent 2020 AGM, the Bridgwater TUC honoured Vicki Nash, who has retired as TUC president.

Vicki is a teacher at Enmore school and Somerset Divisional Organiser for the National Education Union (NEU).

Bridgwater TUC has also nominated Vicki for a trades councils' long-service badge and certificate to be awarded by the Trades Union Congress later in 2020.

"For the last dozen years Vicki has overseen a spectacular growth in trade union branch affiliations and delegates to Bridgwater TUC, so that in 2020 we are vying with the likes of Manchester TUC, a city of 800,000 people, to be the best supported trades council in England and Wales," said Dave Chapple, CWU, TUC secretary.

"During that time, despite the considerable pressures of work, family and union, Vicki has chaired our meetings with good humour, an understated effectiveness and considerable personal charm.

"These days, no one is a regular attender at any kind of organised meeting unless they are made to feel welcome and know that any contributions they make will be respected.

Vicki Nash has always made delegates and visitors welcome and always respected their contributions.

"For that reason alone, Vicki's presidency will be long remembered."

She is succeeded as president by another teacher, Bridgwater and Taunton College lecturer and UCU union activist, John Fones.

Glen Burrows, a retired activist in the RMT union, becomes vice-president.