It is with great sadness that we announce that Cllr David Stares passed away peacefully last week losing his battle against cancer. David had been active in the community for some time and was a councillor at Woodley Town Council for almost five years. He has served as Chairman on the Leisure Services Committee and was the town’s Deputy Mayor in 2018/19. Leisure was David’s passion and he ran over 30 marathons. This developed into a particular interest and involvement in the ongoing improvements to Woodford Park Leisure Centre and associated facilities. He was an active Bowls member and when not involved in sports was a keen allotment holder, being on the Allotment Tenant’s Committee.

Council Leader, Keith Baker said: “David was a good friend and colleague and bore his illness with a degree of calmness during the several years of fighting it. Even at the end his dignity in dealing with the inevitable was second to none. The inner strength he showed, despite the pain, was what he was all about. Woodley has lost a good friend.”

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.