Former teacher and town councillor dies aged 78

A former teacher and Southwell town councillor has died, aged 78.

Mr Roger Dobson stood down from the council in 2015 after 12 years’ service.

Previously he was a deputy head for 15 years at Manvers Pierrepoint Comprehensive School, Nottingham.

Mr Dobson joined the council in 2003 as an East Ward councillor, representing the Liberal Democrats.

His key aims were to promote tourism and to try to engage the local community with the council in working together.

When he retired from the council he said he had got a lot of satisfaction from helping to promote tourism in Southwell.

In 2006 he was elected as chairman of the council and then again in 2010.

He served on several committees, including planning, finance and policy, and working groups including those focusing on cemeteries, highways, parks and open spaces.

He considered his biggest achievements were helping to set up the first tourist information centre in Southwell in 2004 and setting up and writing Southwell Heritage Trail.

Family friend Mr Brendan Haigh said Mr Dobson was also instrumental in securing walkers’ rights across Racecourse Road in Southwell.

“It was a big achievement, for which people will remember him,” he said.

Mr Dobson was also a keen historian, and a member of Southwell and District Local History Society.

He wrote several books about the town, including two volumes about its second world war history, and another about Southwell’s inns and alehouses.

A celebration of his life will take place at Southwell Minster on Monday at 2pm.

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