Tragic Death of Michael Jones

8.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th May 2003

The sudden death of Michael Jones at the age of 68 represents a great loss to the local community. He was a councillor for Heathfield Ward from 1986 to 2002 and mayor in the millennium year, 1999/2000.

He had been presented with a commemorative gift at the Council Meeting on 8 April 2003 to celebrate his 16 years as a councillor when colleagues paid tribute to his service.

His particular interests included planning, environment (both built and natural) and the river. He was a member of the Development Control Committee for many years and chaired the Conservation Areas Committee with distinction.

He was an active member of the Environment Trust for Richmond and campaigned successfully for the restoration of Grove Gardens Chapel and was delighted when it was successfully brought back into use for the benefit of the local community.

He loved old buildings and knew a lot about them. As a photographer, he contributed evidence to a number of campaigns to get important buildings listed such as Langholm Lodge in Richmond and Moiravale in Hampton Wick.

He had accumulated a large collection of photographs over the years, and in his mayoral year decided to make a complete photographic record of the river at the millennium, which can be seen on a web site www.totheriver.co.uk developed by John Inglis of Online Communities.

He was passionate about the river and he had a collection of pictures and models of boats and other related items. At the time of the demolition of Tough's Boatyard at Teddington, he personally saved many artefacts.

During his mayoral year, he helped sponsor the revived Teddington Regatta. He also took part in the Great River Race from Ham to Greenwich.

Serge Lourie, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the Council said: "He will be remembered by us as a kind person who was devoted to the river and the local environment. Those who knew him will agree that his untiring campaigning zeal made the borough a better place for all of us."

Sir David Williams, who was Leader of the Council for most of Michael Jones term on the Council, said "Michael had a habit, well known to all his colleagues on the Council, of saying, "Can I have a quick word?" "

"You always knew it would be many words, and it was unlikely that you were the first or last person he would lobby in his distinctive way about his latest concern. But this was accepted by all of us because of his completely straight sincerity. With Michael, what you saw was what you got."

For further information, contact Cllr Serge Lourie on Home 020 8876 7368; mobile 07958 589589; office 020 7828 6288