Tributes paid to "true gentleman" after death of former Higham Ferrers mayor

Tributes have been paid to former Higham Ferrers mayor Paul Gadsby, who has been described as "one of the most polite, caring and understanding people you would wish to find".

Higham Ferrers Town Council say they received the news of Paul's death on June 11 after a short illness.

He had served as a borough councillor from 1969 and then as a town councillor until May 2011. He was also the town's mayor in 1998-1999.

Cllr Pam Whiting, leader of Higham Ferrers Town Council, said: “Higham Ferrers has just lost a true gentleman.

"If you met Paul in the street he would always raise his hat when he greeted you. Paul was one of the most polite, caring and understanding people you would wish to find.

"Indeed I feel very privileged to have known him. Having served with Paul on the town council for several years he was always keen to help new councillors in any way he could, and indeed was a great help to me when I first became a councillor.

"Being such a quiet and unassuming man it did take him a few years before he decided that he would like to become the town mayor, and this was a position he carried out in the excellent manor you would expect from him.

"It was with great sadness that we heard the news that Paul had passed away following a short illness, and he will be sorely missed not only by fellow councillors, but also members of the local Methodist Church."