KEN Pollock, the man who helped bring Parkway rail station to Worcester and Jeremy Clarkson to the nation, has died at the age of 79.

In his roles as TV producer of Top Gear and then local politician in charge of infrastructure he dealt with some of the biggest issues in both fields with a calm dignity despite a long battle with cancer in his later years.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “I was so sad to hear of the passing of Ken Pollock. I first met him shortly after I was selected to be the Parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire in 2006 and he was so kind introducing me to so many local people.

“I last saw Ken in the late Summer last year, when he joined dignitaries at the official opening of Worcestershire Parkway station. It is a fitting and lasting legacy for all he did speaking up for our local infrastructure and the economy.”

Worcester News: TRIBUTES: Councillor Ken Pollock 'never lost interest in the state of the world'TRIBUTES: Councillor Ken Pollock 'never lost interest in the state of the world' (Image: Family)

Ken Pollock grew up in Beckenham, south London, and gained degrees at Newcastle and Reading, as well as at Rutgers University in America.  He returned to Newcastle where he gained his doctorate and became a lecturer in agricultural engineering.  

In 1977 he was persuaded by the late Anthony Parkin, agricultural story editor of The Archers, the long running radio serial about country folk, and longstanding resident of Tenbury Wells to join the BBC. 

Ken then went on to produce the farming programme on BBC TV.   When it became Countryfile he moved to Top Gear, recruiting new presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Tiff Needell.  After leaving the BBC he continued to work in motorsport and television production, including a film on the restoration of the fountains at Witley Court. 

The Pollock family moved to Great Witley in 1992 and following retirement Ken represented the Tenbury ward on Worcestershire County Council for 12 years, latterly as cabinet member for economy and infrastructure being involved with some of Worcestershire’s most important public projects, notably the Parkway station at Norton, just south of Worcester.

Worcester News: TRAINS: As a councillor, Ken Pollock helped bring Worcestershire Parkway to fruitionTRAINS: As a councillor, Ken Pollock helped bring Worcestershire Parkway to fruition (Image: Worcestershire County Council)

Ken and his wife Diana restored an old cottage at the top of Abberley Hill with spectacular views to the Black Mountains of Wales.   Diana said: “Despite the occasional shortage of water supply and the fact that it snowed there when it was raining in the valley, we loved the hill with its rare grove of English elms and wild orchids in the spring.” 

Ken’s two daughters grew up there, both going to Great Witley Primary School and then The Chantry in Martley and King’s Worcester.   Octavia is now chief sub-editor for Country Life and Lucy is a civil servant.  

Diana added: “Despite his diagnosis of cancer in 2010 and subsequent problems with mobility, Ken was determined to carry on as normal.   In 2014 we moved to Cheltenham but he continued to contribute a column for the Teme Valley Times. 

“In his last two years he volunteered at his local Parkrun in Cheltenham almost every week. His commitment to various causes never wavered and he never lost his interest in the state of the world.”  

Ken Pollock died at home with his family and his funeral service will be at Cheltenham Crematorium on Wednesday, January 17 at 2pm.