DAMIAN SHERWOOD-JOHNSON has said he will look back fondly on his time as the chair of the Tillicoultry Community Council, as he has officially stepped down.

As reported by the Advertiser in April, Damian decided to step down from his role amid further delays to funding promised to help redevelop Tillicoultry’s high street.

He has been a member of the community council for seven years and led the group as chair for six.

Damian said he will miss the role that has been a major part of his life but expressed regret at the circumstances surrounding his exit.

“I’m conflicted about the decision,” Damian told the Advertiser. “The timing isn’t really of my choosing.

“I would’ve preferred to have stayed on longer and helped the community council with some of its ongoing activity.

“But, on the other hand, I couldn’t have went on the way we were going on.”

“I’m emotional overall – I’m really sad to no longer be a part of it all.”

Damian led the community council through one of its toughest periods in the Covid pandemic.

This forced the group into uncharted territory, with many unsure of how to cope with such radical change.

Damian spoke of his pride at how the community council adapted to provide for the needs of Tillicoultry, whilst respecting the isolation rules at the time.

“Despite the backdrop of what was going on,” Damian added. “One of the most amazing experiences was our response to Covid.

“As a community council, we were left by this situation and wondering how we could keep supporting people.

“From that came the most amazing outpour of community support. The community really got together to help each other.”

Damian spearheaded an initiative that saw soup and cake delivered twice a week to over 100 households from Tilly’s Tea Room.

“Thing like that really stand out to me,” Damian added. “We held lots of great events with the galas, winter switch-ons, litter picks, lots of fun activities.

“We were so committed to getting what the community deserves.”

The community council is currently headed by vice-chair Robert McClelland, who will lead the meetings until a new chair is elected in October.

“It’s one of those roles that seeps into your daily life,” Damian added. “It wasn’t until the last meeting when I said my final goodbye that I realised how much I was going to miss it.

“I’ll miss being part of a group that’s done so much for the community.

“It’s been a huge part of my life and I’ll miss it a lot.”