Tributes paid to the late Councillor Graham Gopsill

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 22nd May 2009

Graham and Ann Gopsill

St Andrews Church, Droitwich Spa was packed today with family, friends and former colleagues of Droitwich Councillor Graham Gopsill. Graham died at St Richard's Hospice on April 29th after a short battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.

In a moving service, Cllr Edgar Harwood described Graham's early political career as a Liberal Councillor in Birmingham and following his move to Droitwich Spa. Graham's daughter Yvette in her tribute to her dad said politics was his passion. He was certainly an inspiration to his colleagues and is greatly missed. He was a Wychavon District and Droitwich Spa Town Councillor at the time of his death.

As Mayor of Droitwich in 1997/1998 he instigated the design, construction and erection of the saltworkers statue in Victoria Square and the construction of the first skate board park in the town. He also played a major part in organising Droitwich Spa's annual classic car rally. Unfortunately he died just before this year's event on May 2nd when a car was covered in flowers and tributes to Graham.