Tribute To Trevor Webb (1927- 2014)

As we went to print with 'The Wheatleyan', we heard sad news of the death of Old Wheatleyan and former Chair of the Governors, Mr Trevor Webb (1927- 2014). 

Mr Terry Patchett has kindly written the following piece for an 'Old Coventrians' newsletter tribute:

'Those who spent time with Trevor Webb socially, or through civic, political or charitable pursuits, will doubtless recall a host of inspiring memories. Almost to the very end, he yearned to be on the go, attending meetings, circulating in a crowd, mostly with a cheery word and often with a gentle leg-pull.

He maintained a very full diary, which he bravely fulfilled, even through his final year as he coped with rehabilitation for his badly-shattered femur and wrestled with cancer. Whatever the weather, he wanted to walk in the Memorial Park or enjoy his game of croquet. For Trevor, the evenings were reserved for theatre, dining out or supporting whatever was on offer at either Bablake or KHVIII. As former Chair of Governors, he supported both.

Trevor was raised in the village of Walsgrave, attended the local primary, but then passed for Bablake in 1938. A major air-raid in 1940 so damaged the Coundon Road premises that Trevor was one of some 300 boys who were evacuated to Lincoln. Unhappy to be separated from his parents, they transferred him to Hinckley Grammar School. Maths was clearly his outstanding talent, so accountancy was an obvious career; via Dafferns, Trevor then joined his father`s practice which he took over in 1953.

Trevor was a leading Freemason and served for 22 years as a Councillor, and latterly Conservative leader, until he retired in 1990. He received an OBE from the Queen in 1988, in recognition of his services to the city and was further honoured in 2012 with the appointment as Alderman and President of Coventry Rotary and Warwickshire Society of Chartered Accountants.

He was very much a family man; his wife of 55 years Shirley was herself a dynamic and progressive teacher and a Justice of the Peace and they had two children who proved extremely dedicated to their father. The remarkable support and practical attention of partner Anne Hall eased Trevor`s final years as he battled with declining health.

He was buried alongside Shirley in the peaceful setting of Ansty church, which he had faithfully attended all his life. The massive turn-out at Holy Trinity church for his Memorial Service was testament to the high esteem in which he was held. His name lives on through the Trevor Webb 6th Form Centre at KHVIII.'

Our deep condolences go to Mr Webb's family and we thank Mr Patchett for this sensitive tribute.