Tributes paid to former mayor: ‘He was Mr Gedling Village’

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a long-serving former Gedling councillor who died this week.

Gordon Tunnicliffe served as the Mayor of Gedling between 2003-04 and is so far the only Liberal Democrat to serve in office. During his tenure as Gedling Mayor he raised an impressive £17,500 for chosen charity Macmillan Nurses.

Mr Tunnicliffe was made Honorary Alderman on Gedling Borough Council in 2014 in recognition for his distinguished service to the people of the borough.

He was also a long-standing supporter of 1st Gedling Scout Group and had been involved with the organisation for over 70 years.

The keen volunteer also served on the Gedling Gala, Gedling Miner’s Memorial Trust and Memorial Hall Management committees and was a founder member of Gedling & District Youth Club

Gedling Borough Council leaders John Clarke and Michael Payne were quick to pay tribute Mr Tunnicliffe.

In a statement released yesterday they said: “Gordon’s trademark grace and generosity, along with his glowing smile and impeccable courtesy will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure to know him, work with him and call him a friend.

“It was the measure of the true gentlemen he was, that he always found the time to speak to everyone and ask how you were, no matter how busy he was. Gordon had a heart of gold.

“In so many respects Gordon Tunnicliffe was Mr Gedling Village; he cared deeply and passionately about the residents, businesses and community organisations in the village he was proud to call home.”

Cllr Meredith Lawrence, who represents Colwick Ward for Gedling Borough Council described him as ‘a true gentleman.

He said: “In all the time I was on Gedling Borough Council when he was, I never heard him make a party political point. He was always assiduous in representing his ward, and on becoming an Alderman attended most full council meetings. Commiserations to his family.”