Tributes have poured in for a former chairman of Wychavon District Council.
Gerry Barnett, a Worcestershire journalist whose career spanned more than 70 years, has died.
In between stints at the Evesham Journal, Gerry served as chairman of Wychavon District Council, taking the reins in 1992/93.
Now, former colleagues and current councillors have shared their memories of ‘the country gentleman’.
Angela Taylor, tourism officer during Gerry’s time as chairman, said: “He was a tremendous supporter of tourism.
“One of the things we worked together on during his time as Chairman was a tourism conference that brought people in from all over to help promote and expand tourism in our area.
“Gerry was particularly passionate about Pershore Plum Festival and the Asparagus Festival and I remember him joining me one year on the St George’s Day run to Buckingham Palace.
“He was just a lovely man.”
READ MORE: Former Evesham Journal reporter Gerry Barnett dies at 89
Jim Burgin, currently Wychavon’s head of heritage services but who during Gerry’s tenure had responsibility for tourism, said: “Gerry was tremendous to work with.
“He was a loyal councillor and had great knowledge of his community and his finger on the pulse of local issues.
“The link he gave us as a local journalist was also really important. A true gentleman.”
Current chairman, councillor Robert Raphael, added: “Gerry was a kind and gentle man who always had the community at heart.
"I recall him being Chairman of Wychavon, long before my time on the council, but his chosen charity for the year was Guide Dogs for the Blind, which I organised in Evesham at the time.
"As a journalist he was very thorough, precise and fair with his reporting, being sure to garner views from all sides. He will be very much missed.”
Meanwhile, Worcestershire County councillor Adrian Hardman said: "Gerry was a man who was a great supporter of his local area, and served it in a number of roles either as Chairman of his parish council, on the governing body of his local school; Bredon Hill Middle School, on his local paper, and on Wychavon District Council.
"He also had a deep understanding of the countryside, and its way of life.
"He will be missed by me and many in the Ashton under Hill and surrounding community”
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