Wrekin council pioneer dies aged 93
Graham Reedman, one of the original officers of the old Wrekin District Council, has died at his home in Much Wenlock at the age of 93.
Mr Reedman, who was also heavily involved in local life in Much Wenlock, had been the director of recreation and amenities on the formation of the council in 1974, a role which was later rebranded director of leisure and community services.
Born in Sowerby, near Thirsk and brought up in Lincoln, he studied Classics at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and began his career in teaching.
He moved into education administration, first in Bedfordshire followed by Blackpool and Northumberland before becoming Chief Education Officer in Darlington.
In 1974 he moved to take up his role at the new Wrekin District Council, which had been created in a local government reorganisation.
Mr Reedman retired in 1985 but continued his involvement with both the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, first as a member of the board and of the Academic and Curatorial Committee and later as vice-president, and with the Telford Community Council, which he chaired.
Education remained close to his heart. He established links through the joint use of sporting facilities and for many years chaired the education appeals panels for Wrekin and Shropshire councils.
He was also chairman of governors at William Brookes School, Much Wenlock, a governor of Hollinswood Infants School, and vice-chairman at Phoenix School, Dawley.
An active Rotarian for over 50 years and member of Wellington Rotary Club, his work in the community was recognised both with the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2009 and the Sapphire Pin.
He was a key figure in the twinning of Telford with the Paris suburb of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in the 1980s, a member of Much Wenlock Probus, and for a number of years chaired the Much Wenlock Festival and the Much Wenlock Civic Society. He also founded and organised the Much Wenlock U3A Crossword Group.
An excellent musician, a fiendish cryptic crossword setter and solver, and a lover of cricket and golf, Mr Reedman is survived by his wife of 62 years Bridget, two daughters, and two grandchildren.
"He would be amazed by the number of people who have written and sent cards, which has been fantastic," said Mrs Reedman.
