FORMER Malvern Civic Society chairman and vice president John Handley has died, it has been sadly announced.
The organisation has confirmed Mr Handley’s passing earlier and in a statement paid tribute to him saying he played an ‘instrumental’ role in transforming the society’s role within the community during his reign as chairman.
Malvern Civic Society aims to protect the best elements of the town’s heritage while seeking to encourage high standards of planning and design for the enhancement of Great Malvern and the surrounding area. It also hosts various informative events throughout the year.
Chairman Clive Hooper led the tributes to Mr Handley and said: “John preceded me and Roger Sutton as the Society’s Chairman, and he was instrumental in transforming its work and organisation.
“During his tenure, Malvern Civic Society membership expanded enormously, much through his own efforts in overseeing a vibrant programme of talks and activities, through his engaging personality, and through the support he had gathered around him from his Executive Committee.
“He was very popular and approachable and, in his role as newsletter editor in particular he always wrote well and entertainingly. His attention to detail was striking, and so he enjoyed participating at all levels of the Civic Society, also contributing to and leading efforts in establishing our website as well as serving as one of our town guides, proud to take his turn in showing visitors and residents the historic sights of Malvern.”
Several years ago Mr Handley wrote a book about one of Malvern’s most residents Charles William Dyson Perrins titled ‘The Quiet Hero’.
Mr Hooper added: “He also had an academic side to his life, and his book on C.W. Dyson Perrins was a splendid example of his thoroughness in research.
“After stepping down as our Chairman, he accepted a position as one of the Society’s Vice-Presidents and continued to offer his wise counsel and give his wholehearted encouragement to our endeavours.
“He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy must be with Linda and the family at this sad time.”
The Observer understands John and his wife, Linda, left Malvern at the end of last year for family reasons and moved to Sherborne in Dorset.
