Town bids farewell to former mayor

FRIENDS, family and colleagues have said farewell to a much-loved and respected former mayor of Felixstowe, who has died at the age of 88.

Arthur Clark, described as "a wonderful servant to Felixstowe", spent 50 years in politics and was awarded the MBE for political services.

St Peter and St Paul Church at Old Felixstowe, where Arthur worshipped every Sunday, was packed for a thanksgiving service for his life.

The service was attended by many people from all over the town and area who knew him, including many who had served with him on councils and organisations.

Suffolk Coastal council chairman Doreen Savage represented the district and town councils.

Arthur made his debut in politics at the 1933 annual conference of the Junior Imperial League, now the Young Conservatives, when his motion to give India self-government was opposed by the late Randolph Churchill.

It was the start of an active life in politics in which he had a deep interest.

He was always interested in national and international issues, but also in local matters, and was involved for many years with the Sudbury and Woodbridge Conservative and later Suffolk Coastal Conservative associations.

When he retired as an executive of Fisons horticultural division in 1976, he entered local politics.

He was elected to serve both Felixstowe Town Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council and sat on both authorities until he stood down at the elections of 1983 because he said the time had come to make way for younger people.

He was mayor of Felixstowe in 1979, an honour he greatly enjoyed, and also served as chairman of Suffolk Coastal – one of only four people to have headed both authorities.

In 1983 he was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honour List and was accompanied by his wife Winifred, who died a few years ago, and grand-daughter Joanne, to Buckingham Palace where he received the award from Prince Charles in the ballroom.