TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Andover councillor and Test Valley mayor, who has sadly died.

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Page died on Saturday, May 14 at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.

Brian lived in Andover since 1982 and spent 34 years in the Army - rising from a National Service private soldier to become a Lt Colonel in what is now the Royal Logistic Corps.

After leaving the Army he worked for the education department of Hampshire County Council for ten years before taking up the reins at Andover and District Age Concern where he worked part-time for a further decade, but put in an additional 1,500 hours voluntarily.

Brian represented Andover’s Harroway ward on Test Valley Borough Council from 2003 to 2019, and was made Mayor of the borough in 2008.

Paying tribute, current Mayor of Test Valley, Cllr Alan Dowden, said: “Firstly, my condolences go to Lt Col Brian Page’s family and friends, and everyone who knew him. Lt Col Page was a big part of Test Valley history, both in its communities and as a council.

“He was, of course, a former mayor of this borough and made a big difference to the lives of those in Test Valley as a whole, as well as the Harroway ward in which he was elected. Serving for 16 years goes to show the effort, commitment and dedication he showed to his life in public service.”

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Cllr Phil North, said: “I was incredibly sad to hear about the recent passing of former councillor, Lt Col Brian Page.

“I spent quite a lot of time with Brian when I was first elected on the Council and always appreciated his sage advice, which I gleaned from the many hours we spent together at Councillor surgeries in the Guildhall and as members of the Northern Area Planning Committee. Brian cared deeply for Test Valley. Always going above and beyond to help his constituents.

“During his tenure as President of the Royal British Legion, Brian movingly led the town’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations on many occasions. Now it’s our turn to remember him and Brian will be sorely missed by all whose lives' he touched.”

Ron Caddy of Acorn Crafts in Weyhill, a close friend of Brian and his wife Dorothy, added: “Brian was a community serving gentleman who always sought to improve the lives of his fellow citizens, friends and neighbours.

“He was a committed Christian for many years, his favourite hymn being ‘Onward Christian Soldier’”; very appropriate for a military officer. A long serving member of the Andover Baptist Church where his wife Dorothy founded the ABC Play Group.

“On Friday mornings he would join with other men for coffee at Rosebourne or Dobbies for conversation and laughter even during the past two years when he wasn’t able to communicate as much as he once did.

“He lived his life true to his faith and beliefs, always considering and supporting others. He is now out of his human suffering and has gone to his reward in heaven which he truly deserves."

Brian was a tireless community fundraiser and volunteer.

He was, amongst many roles over the years: Chairman of the Andover Branch of the British Heart Foundation for more than 10 years; Chairman of Andover Platinum Fellowship for Older Persons; President of the Andover Branch of the Royal British Legion; Chairman of the Charlton Hill Surgery Patients’ Forum; and a volunteer with Test Valley Community Services for ten years.

He received a Test Valley Community Award in 1998 for outstanding service to the community.

In 2008, shortly after becoming mayor, he received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his commitment to the community. He was nominated by the British Heart Foundation.

He also received the Pride of Andover Award in 2009.

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