TRIBUTES have been paid to former Alvechurch councillor Brian Taylor who passed away at the age of 87 after a long battle with illness.
As well as serving on Bromsgrove District and Worcestershire County councils, Brian, who died on January 11, was a member of Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority.
He served on Bromsgrove District Council as the member for Alvechurch from May 1999 to May 2003 and was on the cabinet, as the portfolio holder for leisure, between 2002 and 2003.
He was the Worcestershire County Councillor for Barnt Green from 1988 to 2005 and on the fire authority between 1997 and 2005.
He was the husband of Margaret Taylor, who also served on Bromsgrove District Council and passed away on August 20, 2012.
His son, Kit Taylor, who is the serving councillor for Linthurst on the district council, said: “Everybody said he was a nice bloke who was forthright.
“He didn’t suffer fools gladly and always spoke out for what he believed in.
“Both he and my mum inspired me to get into politics. I always had an opinion on everything and they used to tell me if I wanted to do something to bring about change I should get into local government.
“Dad always joked that he only joined Bromsgrove District Council so he could see more of my mother.”
Coun Adrian Hardman paid tribute to Brian at the Worcestershire County Council meeting last Thursday (January 15).
“He served two terms here on the county council.
“I’m sure all members will remember him really for his passion for the fire service.
“He was the Conservative lead on the fire authority and that was really his great interest.
“I’m sure he was always very sad we never had a majority in the time he was there so he could have been the chairman of the fire authority.
“He aided Richard Udall as much as he could and they worked in a harmonious and cross-party way.”
Brian was born in Smethwick in 1927 and worked as a secondary alloy ingot manufacturer, refining scrap metal and turning it into casting alloys. He also worked breaking up aircraft.
He and Margaret were married in 1953 and, as well as Kit, had another son Michael and daughters Susan and Cecilia.
They also had nine grandchildren.
