Praise has been given to the director of Falmouth's prestigious art gallery who has resigned to explore new challenges.

Henrietta Boex, who has been in the post since 2013, was also cultural services director at the town council and was the driving force behind the revamp of Princess Pavilion since its takeover by the town council from GLL and the Kimberley Park Lodge development.

She told the Packet it was time to move on from her "dream job" and give someone younger a chance to shine.

"It is still my dream job but I decided from my point of view it is a good way for the council to get some young blood and let someone young have a crack at it.

"It's not as if I'll be disappearing from Falmouth I'll be round and about and become self employed.

"My own feeling is that it ensures the town council can develop their plan but I will be available to help in way I can.

"I have had a lovely time. I think it is a brilliant job and I wish my successor well and hope I can help if I am needed in any instance.

"I wish the town council well and have loved being involved in these projects. We have an amazing collection at the art gallery and have staged some really stunning exhibitions in the last nine years."

Falmouth mayor Steve Eva said Henrietta would be hard to replace.

"She has brought energy and experience to the council," he said. "At the changeover of the pavilion it was placed under cultural services which of course Henrietta is head of and she has done brilliantly there when, to be honest, we were guessing the direction to go and we have managed to have more people through in seven months than GLL in all the time they ran it.

He added: "Henrietta is unbelievably hard working and often worked unpaid to achieve her goals and will be sadly missed as a member of staff."

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Cllr Jude Robinson who has worked closely with Henrietta on the Kimberley Park Lodge project praised her work at Princess Pavilions

"We are all going to miss Henrietta," she said. "Working with her on plans for the Kimberley Park Lodge and Princess Pavilion has been inspiring, as she has such vision for Falmouth, with our residents at the heart of it.

"You only have to walk in to Princess Pavilion now to feel the warmth and sense of community that Henrietta has brought to the whole project and she has put the venue on a path to financial success as well, a huge achievement."

Deputy mayor Kirstie Edwards and chair of the cultural service committee said Henrietta has been a huge asset to Falmouth for many years and will be sorely missed.

"Her patience , tenacity and kindness will leave big boots to fill. She had been hugely helpful and supportive of me since I’ve joined the council and I’d like to personally thank her for sharing her experience and knowledge with me so freely.

"That said, she’s earned her time to focus on new projects and passions and I wish her all the best with all she does in the future. Falmouth with miss her very much."

Henrietta was appointed as the new director of Falmouth Art Gallery in 2013 after the replacement for much loved former curator Brian Stewart, who died suddenly in December 2010, left

Henrietta officially joined the team at the art gallery on October 14, after giving up her job as development project manager at the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum. At the time she described her new role as her "dream job".

At Porthcurno, Henrietta was the project manager of a major £2.8 million redevelopment and before that she worked as an antique furniture restorer among other things.

A new manager, Aidan Botha, has been appointed to run Princess Pavilion for the town council.