Tributes continue to pour in for local councillor

Keith Lock, former leader of West Berkshire Council, has been remembered by family, friends and colleagues

TRIBUTES have continued to pour in following the death of a hugely popular West Berkshire councillor.

The former Liberal Democrat leader of West Berkshire Council and Newbury District Council Keith Lock, who had almost forty years' experience of local politics in his Mortimer ward, died in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, on Saturday after developing pneumonia.

Following tributes from colleagues on the council, his wife, Mollie Lock, also a district councillor for the village of Mortimer, said the response of the community had been “amazing”.

“We have had people we don't know coming over to offer sympathy, cards through the door and the odd phone call,” she said.

“It didn't matter who you were, if he believed in your cause he would support you.”

“He was a lovely, wonderful man. He always went the extra mile. He was so proud of his daughters and he always encouraged them. They would go to him with their problems, and the grandchildren had also started doing the same.

“My 10-year-old grandson Hamish said: “Grandpa will leave a big dent in my life,” which shows you how everyone saw him.”

The MP for Newbury Richard Benyon said yesterday (Wednesday): “I have known Keith since I was first elected onto Newbury District Council 20 years ago. He was one of the most decent people you could meet.

“He will be greatly missed by people across the community he represented and throughout West Berkshire. I send Mollie and the family my very deepest sympathy.”

Mr Lock was born and educated in Kent, and with Mrs Lock, moved to the Reading area following his promotion while working for Associated Biscuits.

He had been a Liberal Democrat councillor in West Berkshire for a total of 38 years. He was elected to Newbury District Council on its formation in 1973, and was also a member of Berkshire County Council from 1985 to 1989. At West Berkshire Council he was twice chairman of the council, from 1993-4 and 2003-4. He was also chairman of the housing committee from 1991-2, and twice leader of council, from 1994-7 and 1999-2001. Former West Berkshire councillor Tony Ferguson, who served as Mr Lock's deputy leader for many years, said Mr Lock knew Mortimer and inside out and would do anything for his ward members.

He said: “He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the people, of the streets. If you went door-knocking with him, he knew everyone. He was genuinely one of the good guys.”

The village of Mortimer also paid it's respects to a man with deep ties to the streets and people of his ward.

Ina Willerton, a supervisor at Lloyds pharmacy, said: “My heart goes out to his wife and family. He will be very much missed, he was a lovely man.”

Mortimer post office postmistress Val Drake said: “He was a village man right through; he did so much for the village.”

Mavis Edmonson, who also works at the post office, added: “He was a very good man and always on the side of right. He was incredibly compassionate and everyone will miss him.”

Mortimer St John's infant school lollipop lady for over 30 years, Freda Batten, said Mr Lock was known for his work with the Liberal Democrats, but everyone who knew him would miss him.

Mr Lock is survived by his widow and their three daughters.

A thanksgiving service is to be held in St John the Evangelist Church, Mortimer, in March, followed by a service at Thatcham crematorium.