There are usually a few polite words said when a chief executive leaves office, a handful of gifts are handed over, drinks are supped and everyone gets on with the rest of their lives.
When Glyn Thomson decided to return to Liverpool to pursue a new career as a churchman in the city's second most deprived parish, it was as if half of Gravesham turned out - come to that, half of North Kent.
The quiet spoken, gentle former chief environmental officer of Gravesham needed a theatre for his departure from the council - and Gravesend's massive Sikh gurdwara for his farewell from the coimmunity.
People from all walks of life turned out. They ranged from the Sikh, Muslim, and Buddhist commuities to council staff past and present, politicians, Christian church leaders (Glyn had rescued one church when its priest left by taking on the role of lay reader).
He is taking on a major task at St Luke's in Liverpool.
He know what he is letting himself in for: throughout the years he has been in Gravesend he has commuted back and forth each weekend to be with his wife and family on Merseyside.
Here's hoping his knowledge of the inner workings of government and local government, grants and people will now help to transform life for people up there.
His successopr, David Hughes, chief executive of Tonbridge and Malling, takes over at Gravesham tomorrow: he is being shared with that council in a rare job split. he comes from one of the most successful councils in the country. He should find it an interesting time.
Gravesham has adopted the executive leader format following Labour's win at the local elections. The boss man is Cllr John Burden who is sure to be closely watched by Ed Miliband over the next few years after the Leader of the Opposition turned up in Gravesend three days out of four to ensure at least one Labour victory in Kent. he got his wish - one Labour victory.
The intriguing question is where were the Conservatives as their four year hold on Gravesham was wiped out. Not one notable turned up.
So was lost the chance of a clean sweep. Ooops.
(Alan Watkins apologises but he is on holiday for the next fortnight).
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