We had a minute’s silence at the District Council tonight for Richard Vingoe, who died yesterday after a long illness.
Richard was a District Councillor for many years, when he was leader of the small but influential Hockley Residents Association group of councillors, and for a while chairman of the planning committee.
Tributes were paid to him tonight by several councillors. Richard acted with great duty and care to do the best he could, and he was worthy of the title of “Mr Hockley”. He was a courteous, dedicated man with a sense of humour.
As Terry Cutmore summed up, “He will be be sadly missed by those who loved him.”
A great man , a terrific councillor.
Sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with his Wife who has also worked hard for Hockley.
Such sad news after a long illness. I served with Richard when he led the three unaligned independents as a Group and he did so much to make sure that as a new member that I had his support. I also had the very great pleasure of campaigning and working with Richard in the Hockley Residents Association – The HRA. I will miss him and so will the community in Rochford District and especially Hockley.
Richard was always courteous, patient and intelligent, and he always listened carefully. A great councillor, he will be very much missed.
Thank you for publishing this deserved tribute to Richard.
He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word and worked incredibly hard for the benefit of the community generally. As a councillor, he always took great care to try and represent the views of the majority and not just his personal ideas. “Mr Hockley” sums it up.
We will miss him greatly and our thoughts are with his beloved family.
Brian Guyett, Chairman, Hockley Residents Association