Former Alcester mayor Cllr Eric Payne dies

Two-time Alcester mayor and district councillor Eric Payne passed away this week following a short illness.

Eric, who served the residents of Alcester Ward as a District Councillor since 2007, died yesterday (Wednesday).

Described as a true gentleman, Eric was also a Councillor for Alcester Town Council for more than 16 years, during which time he was Town Mayor on two occasions.

He lived in Alcester all his life, born in Bleachfield Street, the third of seven children, and was educated at St Faiths School.

He spent most of his working life working in Local Light Industry and Food Distribution, employed as a Production Operator and held several managerial positions during that time.

Paying tribute to Eric, Councillor Christopher Kettle, chairman of Stratford District Council, said: “Today in Eric, a former Chairman of the Council, we have lost a highly respected and conscientious Councillor, who was well liked and valued by his colleagues.

“Throughout my time as a Councillor, I always recognised in Eric his quiet common sense approach to issues and problems. He was always ready to listen and his comments were always well thought through.

“He devoted much time and energy to the Council both as the former Chairman, carrying the flag for the District, and as a Councillor.

“We will miss him and his loss will be felt across the District. Our thoughts however at this time are with his wife Maggie and family.”

Alcester mayor Cllr Andrew Foster added: “Everyone who knew Eric will be extremely sad to hear about his passing on Wednesday 10th October.

“He served on the Town Council for 20 years and was the town Mayor in 2000 and again in 2006. He was presented with the Mayor's Citizen of the Year award only last December for his life-long dedication to Alcester.

“Eric had also represented Alcester as a District Councillor since 2007 and was Chairman of the Council in 2011-12.

“My personal memory of Eric will be of his kindness, approachability and his easy going, self-effacing charm. He was an ever present figure in the town, always out and about talking to people, supporting and helping the community that he loved.

2On behalf of the Alcester Town Council our deepest sympathy goes out to Eric's wife Maggie, son Nick and daughter Charlotte. He will be dearly missed.”