TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving councillor who died earlier this month after a lengthy battle with dementia. 

Alan Large, 92, spent 15 years representing Great Holland as part of the Frinton and Walton Town Council. 

He moved to Tendring from London with his wife Jeanne and daughters Amanda and Vanessa in 1966 when he started work as a senior lecturer at St Osyth’s Teacher Training College. 

During his time with Frinton and Walton Town Council, Alan often sat as the lone Labour member but managed to win the respect and admiration of the opposition. 

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Couple - Alan and Jeanne on their wedding day in 1955Couple - Alan and Jeanne on their wedding day in 1955 (Image: Jeanne Large)

Former mayor and leader of Tendring First, Terry Allen, said: “Alan was a truly lovely man, they simply don’t make them like him anymore.

"He was willing to give up a lot of his time and energy to make his village a better place for everyone and he succeeded in doing just that. 

“Although he and I had different political views it really didn’t matter at a local level. It was never about party politics, it was about doing the best for the community. 

“Both the Conservatives and Tendring First recognised he did a sterling service for Great Holland.

"He contributed a lot and we really didn’t put up a fight to depose him as he was a steady hand on the tiller and clearly the best man for the job.” 

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Community - Alan worked hard to make his community a better placeCommunity - Alan worked hard to make his community a better place (Image: Jeanne Large)

During his time in office Alan galvanised the community into fighting plans for a traveller site in the village.

He also set up the Great Holland Residents Association and reinstated a Remembrance Service at the village war memorial which is still going strong today.

He is also still fondly remembered by many in the area for his popular Saturday morning children's gym club.  

Neighbour and friend, Hazel Martin, said: “Alan was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. 

“He was always willing to lend a hand and always smiling. He was a true gentleman.  

“He arranged the planting of the daffodils on the Main Road verges and when I see them now it reminds me of him. We were neighbours for fifty years. He will be missed.” 

During the last three years of his life, Alan lived at Foxburrow Grange Nursing Home in Colchester where he died on April 8 this year. 

His funeral will be held at Weeley Crematorium at 12.30pm on May 10.