Stuart Curtis, 72, of Scothern Lane, Sudbrooke, passed away, on Monday, 9th October 2017, following a brave fight against pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Ashley Perraton-Williams, Chairman of the Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association, said:

“It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of a stalwart friend of the Association. Stuart Curtis had been a dedicated local councillor at West Lindsey District Council for eighteen years. I did not know Stuart as well as I might have wished, however, I know that he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

“On behalf of the Association I extend our deepest sympathies to Lyn and her family.”

Stuart was a long-standing member of the local Conservative branch and regularly attended meeting until recently and helped out with numerous fundraising events.

Stuart lived in Sudbrooke all his life. On leaving school he was employed by Lincoln solicitors Burton & Co., and remained with them for over fifty years until his retirement. Stuart qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives specialising in residential and commercial conveyancing and was made Chairman of the Lincolnshire and South Humberside branch of the institute.

Stuart became a class 1 football referee and his most memorable game was a testimonial game Lincoln City vs. Watford in front of over 5,000 spectators.

Stuart served as a member of West Lindsey District Council from his first election, without party affiliation, before shortly thereafter joining the Conservative group on the Council.

He was first elected as an Independent in 1999 to the newly formed Sudbrooke Ward in all-out, whole council elections, following a boundary review which established the ward by cobiming the parishes of Sudbrooke, from the former Witham ward – which included villages such as Cherry Willingham and Reepham – and Scothern, from the former Dunholme ward. He was re-elected the subsequent year in an uncontested election.

In 2004 he stood for the first time as a Conservative Party candidate and retained his seat against his Liberal Democrat opponent and was subsequently re-elected with an increased majority in 2008 in a repeat of the previous contest.

Following the move away from election by thirds, in 2011 Stuart secured his return to the Council again increasing his majority over his Liberal Democrat opponent. He was subsequently re-elected in 2015 with a substantial majority over the Labour party candidate and a Liberal Democrat challenger.

Stuart was well known as a dedicated local councillor and served on numerous committees and outside bodies during his time on the Council. Most recently he had served as Chairman of the Planning Committee and been a key figure in bringing forward the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

With his health deteriorating he decided it was time to step back from his public service and at the end of August 2017 relinquished his role as a West Lindsey District Councillor.

Conservative Group Chief Whip, Cllr. Giles McNeill, who represents the neighbouring Nettleham ward said:

“The news of Stuart's passing is tremendously saddening. Stuart was a committed servant of the residents of both Scothern and Sudbrooke. He was thoughtful, wise and fair in his dealings. His service to his local community and the district over the past eighteen years has been considerable, often a quiet, calm voice nudging us all in the right direction.

“When I first got involved in local politics he was a reassuring presence and one of the longer-serving councillors. He was always very helpful and supportive and I know I will not be alone in missing him.”

Stuart also served as a member of Sudbrooke Parish Council for over a quarter of a century and was a founder member of the Sudbrooke Village Hall Committee and continued to serve and support until very recently.

The flag outside West Lindsey District Council’s Guildhall, in Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough, is being flown at half-mast until the day of his funeral in recognition of Stuart Curtis’ dedicated service to the authority. A celebration of Stuart's life will be held at St. Edward's Church, Sudbrooke at 1pm on Friday, 3rd November 2017. The family have requested family flowers only and donations in lieu to St. Barnabas Hospice.

Stuart is survived by his widow Lyn, his children Emma and Simon and grandchildren Lewis, Evie, Esme and Theo.