A GRANDFATHER who had been Dunmow Council s chairman for 15 years died on Friday. Trevor Heywood died from cancer aged 77, at St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds. He leaves behind his wife Daphne and five children. Trevor played a major role in many as

A GRANDFATHER who had been Dunmow Council's chairman for 15 years died on Friday.

Trevor Heywood died from cancer aged 77, at St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds. He leaves behind his wife Daphne and five children.

Trevor played a major role in many aspects of Dunmow life, particularly on the council, of which he was a member from 1976 to 2003. He was chairman of Dunmow Parish Council, which later became known as the town council, from 1984 to 1998.

Owen Wilson, who has been the town council clerk since 1992, said: "Trevor was involved in a great many different projects and activities in the town."

He oversaw a major renovation of Dunmow Maltings, which now houses the museum and was closely involved with the Dunmow Players.

"Trevor fought successfully against the proposed closure of Dunmow Ambulance Station, the proposed closure of Dunmow town Post Office and the proposed but failed asylum seekers' centre, which would essentially have been a prison in the town," said Mr Wilson.

"Trevor was a pleasure to work with and very much a gentleman in all senses. He achieved things through persuasion, not aggression, and was very good at bringing everyone together."

John Davey was deputy chairman of Dunmow Council for much of Trevor's chairmanship.

"He was a great guy to work with," he said, "very mild and easy-going, but just occasionally you'd find a little bit of steel, which was of course necessary in his role!

"He was a super chairman and will be very sadly missed."

A funeral service is being held at noon on October 24 in Croxton, Norfolk, where Trevor moved to from Minchins Farm in Pharisee Green in Dunmow a year ago.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in The United Reformed Chapel in High Easter.

Donations can be made to Macmillan Cancer Support or St Nicholas Hospice c/o David Turner Funeral Services, 15a Old Market Street, Thetford, IP24 2EQ.