Death of council stalwart

TREVOR Welham, the long-serving head of Ipswich Council's anti-fraud team, has died at the age of 56 after a long battle with illness.A family man, Trevor worked for the Borough Council for 38 years and in 1990 was instrumental in the creation of one of the country's first teams dedicated to tackling benefit fraud.

TREVOR Welham, the long-serving head of Ipswich Council's anti-fraud team, has died at the age of 56 after a long battle with illness.

A family man, Trevor worked for the Borough Council for 38 years and in 1990 was instrumental in the creation of one of the country's first teams dedicated to tackling benefit fraud.

To family, friends and colleagues, he will be greatly missed.

Peter Matthews, head of financial services, said: "He was very well respected by staff, directors and councillors and will be sorely missed.

"The council has had a very good record at detecting and stopping fraud.

"He was very much a family man and a keen supporter of Ipswich Town."

He qualified as an accountant from college in 1965 and has stayed with the Council ever since, working in the accounts section and audits and finance departments before becoming chief internal auditor in 1990.

In the words of Mr Matthews: "He was born in Ipswich, educated in Ipswich, qualified in Ipswich and worked in Ipswich.

"He really was an Ipswich man through and through."

Trevor died peacefully in Ipswich Hospital on March 23.

There is a service of Thanksgiving at Burlington Baptist Church, on Tuesday, April 6 at 2.30pm.

Family flowers only, but donations may go to Somersham Ward Support Group, c/o Michael Smy, Funeral Services, 145 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, IP3 8EB