Tributes to former councillor
Tributes have been paid to a former councillor who served in Stafford for almost 40 years.
Henry Butter was a member on the former Stone Rural District Council from 1967 to 1973 and on Stafford Borough Council from 1973 to 2011. He died on December 12, aged 87.
Councillor Jeremy Pert, Community Cabinet Support Member, paid tribute to the 'gentleman'.
He said: “Henry was a dedicated community champion who served around 47 years on Stafford Councils – Stafford Borough, Staffordshire County and Stone Rural - unbroken until his retirement in 2011 from the Borough and in 2013 from the county council.
“He notably chaired the planning committee at the borough council very adeptly balancing the issue of development with that of ensuring it was balanced with the local need and environment.
“He mixed his love of the countryside and that of Rights of Way with his love of rambling both in the UK on holiday in places like Turkey and many of the milestones in his county division were there because he personally championed their maintenance and presence.
“All in all Henry was a gentleman – with clear passions and commitments, founded in his commitment to many longstanding community establishments from the council through to the local church. He was a ‘no nonsense’ man who did not like fuss or ceremony but who’s friendship once won lasted a life.”
