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Alan Hockridge
Aged 62
NORTH Somerset Council leader and 'one of the most likeable men you will ever have the privilege of knowing' has died suddenly.
 Councillor Alan Hockridge, aged 62, was campaigning for the forthcoming elections around North Worle on Saturday morning. He walked home and died just after reaching his house.
Tributes to the Liberal Democrat group leader, who lived in Jocelin Drive, have been flooding in.
Colleague and friend Cllr John Crockford-Hawley said: "He died as he had lived, working for the benefit of his fellow citizens.
"His untimely passing has shocked the political world, not just in Weston and North Somerset, but across the whole South West.
"Though not a natural orator or smooth political operator, he held both his Liberal Democrat party and the wider council together with a genuine desire to see fair play at all times. He abhorred pomposity, self aggrandisement and the two-faced games of party politics.
"Alan had natural warmth of character, was compassionate, kind and generous.
"Incapable of sticking the political knife in anyone's back, he felt personally saddened by those who chose to misrepresent him. Alan always saw goodness in his fellow beings, sometimes over-generously and to the exasperation of his closest friends and colleagues.
"A political opponent once tried to undermine Cllr Hockridge's authority with the charge of being a "very nice man". That he certainly was and that will be his epithet."
Former MP for Weston Lord Brian Cotter, said: "I am deeply shocked by this terrible news. Alan earned my and many others' respect, admiration and affection for his personal attributes and selfless work for the community.
"He devoted many years of his life working for local people, generously giving up his time and ability. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out at this time to his family."
Alan was elected to Avon County Council in 1993 and the former Woodspring District Council a year later. He began to lead the Liberal Democrat group on North Somerset Council after the surprise defeat of former leader Cllr Nan Kirsen and for the past two rather turbulent years has been leader of North Somerset Council with its mixture of coalition administrations.
His main political interest lay in the realm of economic and tourism development and he was a popular and gregarious participant at many social and charitable events throughout the area. He was also an active participant in Regional Assembly and sub-regional government proceedings.
A retired bank manager with Lloyds TSB, he retained a life-long passion for sport, particularly rugby and cricket and was well known at the Hornets Rugby Football Club in Weston.
Cllr Hockridge leaves a wife, Carol, daughter Sarah and husband James, and one-year-old granddaughter Olivia.
I KNEW Alan as a fellow councillor in North Worle and as a colleague at Lloyds TSB having known him for 20 years.
Alan was one of those people who if the chips were down you could always talk to and be offered practical help he would be there to offer a shoulder to cry on and I know many people at work who owe a lot to his friendship and compassion.
Politically we worked together for 8 years in North Worle and he was a driving force in the local community always taking his role extremely seriously and listening to the local people I know he got frustrated by the bureaucracy of local government at times but believed firmly that he had to fight his corner to change things.
He was a good man that will be sorely missed by many.
Cllr Ron Moon
We were deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news about Alan.
He was a true Friend of the Playhouse and will be sadly missed.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Bryan Moyse
Chairman, Friends of the Playhouse
MY memories of Alan are of his happy smiling face, even when the going got tough he still smiled and that took some effort. He will be missed.
Ann Harley
I WAS deeply shocked and saddened to hear about Alan's death and on behalf of all members of the Conservative Group in North Somerset, I would like to offer our sincerest sympathies to Alan's wife and family.
Alan was a friend as well as a colleague, he will be sadly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.
Councillor Nigel Ashton
Conservative Group Leader
North Somerset Council
I WAS very sad to hear the news about Alan Hockridge.
He was a warm and thoroughly decent man, who worked tirelessly for the local community.
Alan was honest and straightforward - a man concerned only to improve the quality of life for us all, and for whom 'party politics' was far less important than the common good.
He will be sadly missed.
Kelvin Fraser
Montpelier, Weston
I HAVE known Alan Hockridge for the past 4 years during which time I have been chairman of the North Worle LAT.
Alan has always been very supportive and attended many of our meetings.
Initially I was surprised at the great interest he showed in all things that we were doing big and small. But I soon learned that he had a very genuine desire to help and work for the community that he lived in.
Even just two weeks before his untimely death he turned up to an LAT litter picking event and he cheerfully gave up 3 hours of a Saturday morning pulling other peoples rubbish out of a ditch that runs along the path between Wick and Worle. Not many Town Council leaders get involved at this level but that was the nature of Allan.
I also help to run two youth clubs in Worle Baptist church and Alan was always happy to help us and when we moved into the new building 3 years ago and we needed new equipment Alan was there to help us and we managed to get the equipment we needed.
Alan was a very down to earth caring man who lived his whole life in Somerset and I amongst many others will miss him greatly.
Peter Hardaway
Chairman North Worle LAT
AS Alan's deputy in the Lib Dem group for the past four years, I want to say how good it was working with him.
He was always generous with his time, willing to help people and very ready to discuss things with me and others.
He did so much good and never blew his own trumpet. He worked quietly and persistently behind the scenes to get the Credit Union off the ground, for example - a cause he believed in so much.
Alan was always there, turning up to charity AGMs and so on - supporting community organisations quietly without fuss or show but he will be missed by so many people.
Isabel Cummings
ALAN was a real people person. As council leader he was a busy man, but always found time to reply to letters and often personally phoned or visited people who had contacted him.
His commitment to the community was total. He was always the first to arrive at meetings and the last to leave – but not like most politicians because he was full of himself or liked the sound of his own voice. It would be because he was too busy chatting to friend and foe alike about the latest cricket score!
He got on with everybody and it was impossible not to like him. He cared about people, he always sought to build bridges and bring people together. In many ways he was quite unsuited to life as a political leader. Not a political animal, not interested in political games or point scoring. And he was all the better at the job for it.
He could often be found sat at the back of a dull meeting where party points were being thrown back and forth across the council chamber, ignoring us all and playing patience on his laptop!
The only thing that he allowed to stop him working for local people was his family. He was so proud when his granddaughter was born and spent months showing us all photos.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time. They can be proud that their grandad, dad and husband was admired, respected and loved by many, many people and will be sorely missed.
Mike Bell
I KNEW Alan for over twenty years, as my manager at work and as a good and loyal friend.
Alan was always fair and would always find time to help you if you had a problem or needed advice and support.
He worked tirelessly for Weston-super-Mare as a Councillor and as leader of North Somerset Council and will be sadly missed.
Alan gave me a great deal of support and encouragement this year in my role as Town Mayor. All my thoughts are with his wife Carol and family at this sad time.
Cllr Paula Howell
Town Mayor
I WAS leader of the Liberal Democrat group after Nan Kirsen and Alan was my deputy. Alan was always supportive and had great skill in working behind the scenes to achieve consensus.
He was hard working and committed to his local community, North Somerset as a whole and to the Liberal Democrats. Above all I echo the thoughts of others 'He was a thoroughly nice man'.
Our thoughts are with his family and close friends at this sad time.
Andy Jopp
(former leader of North Somerset Liberal Democrat group)
I KNEW Alan since he came to Weston many years ago to work at Lloyds Bank. I admired his willingness to put so much into the community without seeking any thanks or personal gain.
He was a very active member of Winscombe Rugby Club, although he played mainly at Minehead where he grew up, and was responsible for organising the annual fund raising Ball at the Winter Gardens for many years helping the Club to finance the purchase of its ground and thereby securing the Clubs future.
He was also a of member of and put in regular appearances at Weston-super-Mare Rugby Club and Hornets.
When he joined Woodspring and later North Somerset as a Councillor he helped form and was always an enthusiastic supporter of the Weston-super-Mare Town Centre Company. He did invaluable and to a large extent unrecognised worK to promote and assist the business community in North Somerset and in particular Weston.
He was never too busy to talk and more important to listen. Probably irreplaceable in our community and he will be greatly missed.
John Brentnall
President Weston RFC and Chairman of
Weston Town Centre Company
I FIRST met Alan when we were both elected to Avon County Council in 1993 and I recognised immediately his desire to do his best for the residents of Weston-super-Mare.
It wasn't though until we entered into the coalition in 2003 that I had the opportunity of working closely with him as part of the administration running North Somerset Council. Initially I was the Leader of Council and Alan was my Deputy then in 2005 those roles reversed and he took on the task of leading the Council.
Alan was an extremely hard working and conscientious councillor who was always good humoured and relaxed even in the most stressful political situations. The overwhelming impression that he gave me was that politics, on occasions, was a bit of an inconvenience – he just wanted to get things resolved in the best interest of those affected.
I'm also aware that he devoted a great deal of time outside of his council responsibilities to developing the Weston Credit Union, promoting rugby and various charitable works.
His sudden death has come as a great shock to everyone I have spoken with and the enduring impression he has left is that of a genuinely nice person.
My sincere sympathy goes out to his wife and daughter.
Cllr Mike Roe
AS A member of Winscombe RFC since the early 70's, Alan Hockridge was involved from the outset 100 per cent. As a player during the 70/80's, he was a versatile scrum-half and constant first team player as well as being a very sociable club man.
During the early 80's the club were concerned that they may loose their rented grounds, so Alan and Dick Berry set about raising funds to purchase land for the clubs own pitches and in 1987 held the first of 15 years of Extravaganza's at the Winter Gardens culminating in the purchase of Blomfield in 1995.
Having worked tirelessly to raise the funds both Alan and Dick were awarded the clubs life membership in 2001. As a Vice President of the club, Alan has always been more than generous with his sponsorship and as well as attending many pre match Vice Presidents lunches, on our annual trip to Minehead RFC he would sponsor a lunch at the club where he learnt his sport.
Alan never did anything by half. His enthusiasm, drive, good humour and willingness to get involved will be sadly missed, and the club extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
Steve Bridges
President
Winscombe RFC
I HAVE know Alan for some years, but more closely since becoming a Liberal Democrat councillor four years ago. He was always very helpful and supportive in my work and was always willing to listen and advise. He seemed to have a boundless energy to help anyone, visit and talk over their concerns.
On the social side my husband Frank and I found him to be cheerful, interesting and sociable to all the people he met, always with a wry smile and usually with a glass in his hand. It was a sudden and shocking situation for Carol and the family to cope with and she has our deepest sympathy, but for Alan it was over in a short time.
He will be greatly missed by many people and very difficult to replace.
Cllr Jenny Gosden
The WESTON Labour Group on North Somerset Council would like to convey their heartfelt condolences to Carol following the sad loss of her husband Cllr Alan Hockridge and to Sarah his daughter.
As a Group we had the privilege of working with Alan and although at times we could not agree with his politics we always found him to be the perfect gentleman and a man of integrity and honour.
Our thoughts are with Carol and Sarah at this very sad time.
ALAN cared passionately for the community and worked tirelessly for their benefit. He also knew how to enjoy life too – a real man and a true gentleman.
Bob Acland, former director of marketing and leisure at North Somerset Council
ALAN always thought not to take sides giving everyone a word, which at times would bring him personal conflict because he cared so deeply for what he did.
His commitment and work for the North Somerset community is a testament to what he believed councillors should be and many have followed his example.
The shockwaves around the town hall and the region are still reverberating. He liked nothing better than to share a beer with colleagues at the end of the day, no matter what the party.
Roz Willis, council chairman
ALAN was Alan he just wanted to please everyone his style will be difficult to replace.
Cllr Ian Peddlesden
 I TOOK this photograph of Alan, Clive Webb and John Crockford-Hawley the day before his untimely death after which the four of us went for a pub lunch a couple of beers and a good laugh.
Our differences in politics made no impact on Alan and in the last few years we had become good friends and have spent many an evening in each others company.
I think the photograph epitomises Alan's amiable character and ever present unbiased good humour.
Peter Bryant
WHEN we all gathered to celebrate Alan's Retirement party a few years back, little did we realize that we would be "Celebrating his Life" so soon afterwards.
A life full of acheivement and good - works, which followed a busy and successful career in banking, with Lloyds, interspersed with many other attributes, the main one of which was his love of rugby, which brought him into contact with a vast array of friends and fellow - fans, who will consider that the loss of Alan, to them, will be devastating.
Brenda recalls working alongside Alan at the bank, where he helped to solve the day to day problems as part of a management team which was "second to none", whilst remaining a popular member of the staff.
Alan will be missed for all his good works to the community, but will no doubt be sending down lots of encouragement and spiritual guidance to us all from his new abode.
Goodbye Alan "old friend".
Affectionally Brenda & Roy Allen
ALAN was one of my nearest, dearest and oldest friends.
We first met when we played rugby together in Minehead in the late 60s when he was working in the bank. He got promoted within Lloyds TSB and moved to Chard and I joined the police force.
I became a beat bobby in Churchill in the early 70s and one day bumped into Alan who had also found his way to the Weston area. We both took up rugby again at Winscombe this time and cemented what became a very deep friendship.
Then in the 80s, when the grounds were under serious threat, we joined forces and created the annual extravaganza events at the Winter Gardens. Every year we managed to bring some famous bands to town including The Manfreds, Showaddywaddy, The Tremeloes and The Searchers.
Over 15 years we raised lots of money and purchased our own grounds, a legacy we were both extremely proud of and which earned us life memberships of the club.
Above anything else I’ll always remember the fun Alan and I had, it was always good fun. Sometimes he would take himself a little bit too seriously and could occasionally be described as grumpy because he always wanted to win, but a joke and a clip round the ear brought him down to earth.
His other most memorable quality was his sincerity. He had the ability to mix and mingle with anybody from any walk of life. He always had time for everybody. As manager of the bank he knew all the staff and they all had a great deal of respect for him. He was the kind of manager who would wander the shop floor and chat to the staff and customers.
Alan was one of life’s doers and as a result achieved a tremendous amount. It will take a long time to get over losing him.
Dick Berry
I AM deeply shocked by this terrible news. Alan earned my and many others’ respect, admiration and affection for his personal attributes and selfless work for the community.
He devoted many years of his life working for local people, generously giving up his time and ability. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out at this time to his family.
Former MP for Weston, Lord Brian Cotter
ALAN you will be missed. Not only was Alan the leader of our local party he was also one of the nicest men you could ever wish to meet.
He added something special to the events he went to and I personally went to many because he was going to be there. He will be missed by all his friend in the Liberal Democrats as his passing has left us with a hole nobody else can possibly fill.
Cllr Mark Canniford, Liberal Democrat chairman
The Labour group’s respect for Alan Hockridge transcended party boundaries.
Over the years we knew him to be a true friend and trusted colleague.
During our alliance in the last year we worked together with Alan in the interests of all the people of North Somerset.
Alan Cotton, deputy Labour group leader
I MET Councillor Alan Hockridge quite a few times during the four years I have worked at Weston-super-Mare Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and found him to be a pleasant man who would always take the time to say hello.
His sense of humour was very good and
I was also impressed that he took the time to attend the annual TIC litter pick up last September.
Steven Harrison
ALTHOUGH I hardly knew Alan, I had met him on a number of occasions, including recently when I delivered a Conservative campaign leaflet to his house.
Despite a difference of opinion, he was very courteous and we had a valuable political chat.
He has also been extremely friendly and helpful to other local conservative candidates when they have attended local community events for the first time.
I have met Alan on a number of occasions whilst taking part in various political community events over the last three years and have always found him, as the quote went 'to be a very nice man'. He will be missed by people of all Political persuaions.
Steve Edwards
Chairman
North Worle Conservatives
AS a former member of the Liberal Democrat group on Woodspring District Council under Nan Kirsen, albeit only until my resignation on moving to West Sussex. I would like to express my condolences to Alan's family.
I scarcely knew Alan, but had heard of his reputation. I know that he will be sorely missed, not only by his family, but by the whole community.
Since December 2005, I have been resident in New Zealand, as my wife and I came to be near our family following their emigrating some time before.
I had previously resigned as a member of Arun District Council, where I had originally been elected as a Liberal Democrat in 1995.
Bill Matthews.
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