Tributes to former mayor and sergeant (From Worcester News)

Community stalwart dies at 103

5:10pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News

A HEARTFELT tribute has been paid to a former Pershore mayor and police sergeant after he died at the age of 103.

Verly Cyril Lancelott, known to most as Lance, died peacefully at Heathlands Care Home in Pershore.

He held the office of Pershore mayor between 1984 and 1986 and served on the town council from 1979 to 1999.

Mr Lancelott, who was a governor at Abbey Park school, a trustee of Pershore almshouses, an active member of the Probus club, a church warden at Pershore Abbey for 31 years and a member of the parochial church council.

He was also made an honorary citizen of the town on the weekend following his 100th birthday.

Joan Gutteridge, Mr Lancelott’s niece, said he was like a father to her and would be missed.

“My father died when I was nine so I looked upon him as a father figure,” said Mrs Gutteridge. “He was a great man.”

Born in Paignton, Gloucestershire, on April 1, 1909, Mr Lancelott was the youngest of his three brothers and sister.“The boys called him Lance at school and that was what it had always been,” said Mrs Gutteridge.

“He joined the police in December 1932 and served until February 1964. He used to live in the old police station. When it was converted into homes it was named Lancelott Court in his honour.”

After he retired from the service Mr Lancelott took a job with Wychavon District Council and later became town mayor, a position that his niece said “he served with great pride.”

“My uncle was a man who enjoyed his long life, worshipping in the abbey and serving the community.

“Pershore should be proud of him as we all are,” she added.

Town councillors paid their respects to Mr Lancelott at a meeting in December holding a minute silence in his memory and current mayor Coun Charles Tucker called him a “town stalwart.”