HALSTEAD’S new town clerk is hoping to do her bit to inject an extra lease of life into the area when she takes over the role next month.

Sarah Greatorex lived at Wash Farm in Hedingham Road, Halstead 10 years ago and is returning to the area to replace outgoing Halstead Town Council clerk Mike Murkin from July 4.

The former English language teacher is excited to take a hands on role within the community and utilise everything the town has to offer.

She said: “I am looking forward to working with the community of Halstead and with the councillors to maintain all the good things that Halstead has to offer and hopefully in time be able to inject new life to the High Street.

“We need to do something to keep the High Street alive and attract people to the town, it is a beautiful High Street but hopefully I can do some work to improve it in some ways.

“It has to be acknowledged that the facilities available in the town are fantastic, the sport facilities up at the Courtauld sports ground are amazing, for a small town it has a lot to offer.

“Halstead has a lot going in its favour considering its size and I am looking forward to working within that.”

Sarah said she was looking forward to building contacts in the town. She said: “One of my favourite parts and one of the most important parts for me is building relationships and working with a team.

“If you want to be a success as a team you have to have good relationships, and I am looking forward to building those relationships within the town.”

Sarah spent 26 years working at the Colchester English Study Centre and had a spell as chief executive.

She believes the skills she acquired in this role are transferable and will aid her during her time as Halstead town clerk.

Sarah has also taught English abroad, spending a lot of her time in developing countries teaching local children.