A Waltham Forest councillor and former mayor has died after a short illness.

Geoff Walker (Con, Hatch Lane), a councillor for 26 years, died on Saturday (March 21).

He served as mayor of the borough in 2011-2012 and raised the largest ever sum for his mayor’s charity appeal, totalling almost £70,000.

Mayor Chris Robbins said: “Geoff was an exemplary Mayor and a dedicated, energetic councillor.

“We always got on extremely well and I am pleased that our last joint engagement was the annual dinner of the London Mayors’ Association, an organisation that Geoff was proud to be part of.

“He will be greatly missed, and I offer our condolences to his family and friends.”

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Cllr Walker with a white dove during the 2011 British Legion Parade

Conservative leader Cllr Alan Siggers said it was “an honour” to pay tribute to his late colleague, who he added was also “immensely proud” of his work with the British Legion.

He added: “With a man like Geoff, so steeped in civic duty, it is easy to forget that he was also a husband, a father, a loyal partner and a friend.

“His loss to those closest to him will already be deeply felt as it is to his friends and colleagues in the Conservative group and Association. As we think of him today, I know we will remember and celebrate Geoff Walker.”

Council leader Cllr Clare Coghill commended Cllr Walker as a “committed public servant” who worked with councillors “across the political spectrum” and was chair of the Armed Forces Day Committee.

She added: “He will be sorely missed, and my deepest condolences go out to his friends and family.”

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