HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to former Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Eric Webb.

Mr Webb, 95, who lived in Weymouth from 1970 and then Dorchester from 2001, passed away at Dorset County Hospital.

He was a much-loved father, grandfather and great grandfather who is already sorely missed by his family, especially his daughters Joan, Gill and Sue.

Former schoolteacher Mr Webb was described by daughter Gillian Derbyshire as a ‘very loving and kind family man’.

Mr Webb was elected onto Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in 1973 and served as mayor in 1984.

He was made an honorary alderman of the borough in 1994.

He was also a county councillor and a member of the education, planning and transportation and social services committees, bringing more than 30 years of teaching to these roles.

Gillian added: “Dad was a very well known and admired figure in Weymouth during the seventies, eighties and nineties.

“A former schoolteacher, he devoted his retirement years to serving the community.

“He was head of English at St Aldhelm’s School in Sherborne, but also wanted to be involved in local politics – that was his real love.

“It was impossible to walk into Weymouth without being stopped by people who knew him and he was a dedicated borough and county councillor, always responding immediately if any of his constituents needed him.

“Apart from council work, he was a custodian of the Nothe Fort and heavily involved with the Choral Society, Boys Club and local schools among many other organisations.

“The highlight of his time was undoubtedly 1984 when he was mayor; I have never seen him happier.

“We’d like to express our sincere thanks to the staff of Somerleigh Court and Day Lewis Ward for their exceptional care.”

Andy Hutchings, former borough councillor and also an honorary alderman, described Mr Webb as a ‘bubbly person in character with a lovely sense of humour’.

He added: “I was on various council committees with Eric and got on extremely well with him even though we were different political parties.”

Former county councillor Alan Chedzoy added: “Eric was a brilliant man incredibly dedicated to the people he represented.

“He was a great defender of Weymouth’s history and very much enjoyed helping at the Nothe Fort.”

Pay your respects

Mr Webb’s funeral service will be held at Weymouth Crematorium at 1pm on February 28, followed by a service celebrating his life at 2.15pm.

The later service will take place at the United Church in Dorchester, where all former friends, colleagues and fellow councillors will be welcome.

His family ask for family flowers only but any donations for the Nothe Fort and any enquiries can be made to the Woods of Dorchester.