Tributes are paid to former mayor of Berkeley

The wife of former Berkeley mayor Gilbert Reeves has spoken of his passion for serving the community and his love of sport.

Mr Reeves died last Thursday of unknown causes at the age of 83. He had been Berkeley’s longest serving mayor and also a district councillor and chairman of Stroud District Council for two years between 1990-92.

"He just enjoyed helping the community," said his wife Ruth. "When he ran for district elections he stood as an independent candidate because he always said he didn’t want to be a part of a political party, he just wanted to serve the people.

"He really enjoyed just being a member of the Berkeley community."

Mr Reeves moved to Berkeley in 1961 and worked at the nuclear power plant until his retirement.

He very quickly became interested in local politics and joined Berkeley Parish Council and was chairman and mayor of Berkeley for 12 years. He was a member of the Naional Playing Fields Association and was honoured with an award from Prince Phillip for giving a ‘special contribution’ to the association.

The father-of-one was also a very keen sportsman, playing for Stone Football Club and both Stone and Berkeley cricket club. He continued playing cricket until the age of 69 and at the age of 65 was awarded the Berkeley trophy for most runs of the season.

"He was a very enthusiastic sportsman and a very good player," said Mrs Reeves, who succeeded her husband as mayor of Berkeley when he stood down.

"We had a shared interest in almost everything we did. We both enjoyed going to watch cricket and football matches and we both liked serving on the local council."

Cllr Janet Wood, district councillor for Uley, and a fellow independent candidate who knew Mr Reeves well, said: "He was a delightful character, who got on with everyone and was extremely passionate about getting better facilities for Berkeley and for the whole of the Stroud district.

"He was liked by everyone on the council and he will be sadly missed."