Top honour for popular Percy

Colourful councillor Percy Prowse is set to receive one of Exeter’s greatest accolades – at last.

Members of the city council tried to give him the position of Honorary Alderman back in 2019 in recognition of his years of service to the city, but were unable to do so because he was still a sitting member of Devon County Council.

Now he is no longer a serving member of the County Hall team, and the process of giving him the honour has begun again.

Mr Prowse was a Conservative county councillor for Pennsylvania, Stoke Hill and Duryard, and served as chair of the county council until 2024.

When he stood down as chair he spoke movingly of his near-death experience from sepsis. He visited a walk-in health centre after feeling unwell, and a doctor sent him straight to hospital where he had surgery. He also described how the NHS had cared for his daughter who had suffered from cancer.

He said the treatment ‘had been the absolute best and it has worked’, and said he had made a donation to the Lord Mayor of Exeter’s chosen Force Cancer Charity whose services his daughter used.

He represented Duryard and St James at city council level for 12 years, and was Lord Mayor in 2014.

He was a police officer for more than 30 years, becoming famous around Exeter as the ‘bobby on a bike’ complete with blue serge cape.

He is well known to those who attend local council meetings for his colourful choice of shirts.

The title of Honorary Alderman is given in recognition of ‘eminent service’, and Aldermen are able to attend civic ceremonies and walk in processions with senior council members, although they have no voting rights or elected office. 

Just 16 people have been given the honour since 1981.

A special meeting of the city council next month will see councillors vote on giving Mr Prowse the accolade.