Tributes to builder with 'a big heart' who was killed in crash on Shropshire border
Tributes have been paid to a councillor and well-known builder who was killed in an accident on a road on the Shropshire border.
Frank Woodcock, 62, was a member of Woore Parish Council and a property developer in the Market Drayton area.
Stephen Clifford, who was a member of Woore Parish Council alongside Mr Woodcock, said the council was a big part of his life.
"I knew him through the council and first met him when I joined nine years ago," he said.
"He had been on the council for a long time, more than 30 years, and was a former chairman in that time. I never found out why but he proposed I became chairman.
"The council was a major part of his life. He disagreed with people and people disagreed with him but he never held a grudge.
"He was keen on having more public open space and recreational space."
Mr Woodcock also ran JRT Developments with son Jonathan at Old Station Yard in Pipe Gate, near Woore.
He was involved in a number of projects to build homes in villages around Market Drayton.
He had recently been vocal in the call to tackle delays and high costs in the planning process for house building.
"His building work was done mostly in the local area but he did do work outside the area as well," Mr Clifford said.
"He was involved in small developments in the village and he never voted on planning issues."
He added: "It is a great shock what has happened to him and he will be missed."
Mr Woodcock was also a keen rugby player and was a committee member of Eccleshall Rugby Club. A statement posted on the club's website paid tribute to him.
It says: "He was a larger than life figure, a huge character with an even bigger heart who has been taken from us too soon.
"We have be left standing in disbelief but we will stand together and support Dan, Jonathan, Sophie and their family in this the darkest of times for us all.
"For everyone who knew and loved Frank the hardest thing to accept will be his absence from the touchline. Rest in peace big Frank."
The accident happened at the junction with Dog Lane and Bent Lane, where the A51 makes a 90 degree turn to the left to go over the bridge.
Ambulances crews and other emergency services were called to the scene at about 7.55pm, but could not save him.
Murray MacGregor, speaking for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said at the time that nothing could be done to save Mr Woodcock at the scene.
"Unfortunately, when ambulance crews arrived it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the van driver," he said.
"He was confirmed dead at the scene.
"The elderly couple in the other car were checked over but were unhurt, if somewhat shaken.
"They were discharged on scene."
