Tributes paid to Bryan Gillard (From This is The West Country)

Tributes paid to Bryan Gillard

2:21pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News By Matthew Colledge

“HE quietly went about doing his best for the people of Bridgwater.”

That was how the town’s Mayor, Graham Granter, paid tribute to his friend and colleague, Bryan Gillard, whose funeral was yesterday (January 16).

Mr Gillard, who died on Boxing Day, aged 78, after a short illness, was a former Sedgemoor District Councillor and Bridgwater Town Councillor.

He was also a former chairman of the Friends of Blake Museum and remained heavily involved with the museum in his final years.

He had also served on the board of Bridgwater Arts Centre and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Mr Granter told the Mercury: “Bryan was an unobtrusive man. He didn’t like to pick a fight but he was always willing to help, and he quietly went about doing his best for others.

“He put in an awful lot of hours down at the museum. He was always down there.

“A couple of years ago, he also won the Bridgwater Cup (an annual award given to a deserving individual), which he was particularly proud of.

“My wife Kay and I were saying the other day how much we missed seeing Bryan and his wife Mary up in the Mayor’s Parlour, because they were always a lot of fun.

“He will be missed, both as a friend and as a colleague.”

After receiving the Bridgwater Cup in 2011, Mr Gillard told the Mercury: “We all work very hard here at the museum and I was a bit embarrassed to receive the award because it is a real team effort.

“My family are really chuffed I won the cup and it was an absolute shock to hear I was even nominated, let alone win it!”

Mr Gillard’s family said he was a “beloved husband of Mary and a much loved father, grandfather and great grandfather.” His funeral took place at St Mary's Church in Bridgwater.