TRIBUTES to Bill Anstey, former Mayor of Waltham Forest and "man of the people", have been flowing in this week.

Mr Anstey, of Stocksfield Road, Walthamstow, died suddenly on Wednesday last week at the age of 73.

Born in Walthamstow, he lived here all his life and played an active role in the community. A devout Roman Catholic, he was a member of St George's Church in Shernhall Street.

Mr Anstey was a Labour councillor for the Wood Street ward from 1974 to 1982, and again from 1986 to 1994.

He was a popular choice for Mayor from 1989 to 1990, and deputy Mayor to Franklyn Georges the following year.

He loved singing and used his light tenor voice to good effect when he was entertaining pensioners, recalled the current Mayor Bob Wheatley in a tribute at the full council meeting.

After he left the council in 1992, Mr Anstey became chairman of Waltham Forest Pensioners Association and was out in the streets almost daily handing out leaflets and collecting signatures on petitions.

Alf Salisbury, secretary of the association, said this week: "Bill was a charming and modest man who impressed everyone with his humanity.

"There was no task he would not undertake to help his fellow man and it endeared him to the vast number of men, women and young people who knew him."

Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard said: "Bill knew so many people that even when he came off the council, he was still remarkably active.

"You only had to look at the votes he received to realise his popularity. Bill always had a very substantial personal vote in Wood Street."

Walthamstow Labour Party member Peter Dawe, a former chairman of the Christian Socialist Movement, said: "Bill represented all that was best about the old Labour party.

"He was a devout Catholic and a valued member of the CSM. His faith expressed itself in his personal humility and his passionate concern for the least fortunate."

New Wood Street Cllr Angie Bean said: "Bill's selflessness, compassion and concern for those in need was illustrated by the young man who knocked on his door and asked for help because he had nowhere to live.

"Bill's response, typically was: 'You had better stay here until I get you sorted out'."

Former Cllr Jack Kaye, an old friend of Bill Anstey's, adapted a quotation to sum up: "He was a man of worth and his price was far above rubies."

Mr Anstey never married and had no close surviving family. At the time of going to press, the funeral details were not yet known.

Ex-Mayor dies suddenly at 73

report by Mike Baess

FORMER Waltham Forest Mayor Bill Anstey has died suddenly, at the age of 73.

Bill was an extremely popular councillor, having served with Waltham Forest council from 1974 to 1982 and again from 1986 to 1994.

He lost his Wood Street Ward seat in the 1994 local elections with two other Labour councillors, resulting in the council becoming "hung".

But he was overjoyed when Labour's Angie Bean won one of the seats back from the Liberal Democrats, one night after Labour's General Election victory.

Born in Walthamstow, Bill lived in the area all his life. He was a devout Roman Catholic and was known as a very conscientious ward councillor.

Having a pleasant tenor voice he was nicknamed the "Singing Mayor" as he was asked to sing by his hosts at several events.

Organised

Since 1992 he was chairman of the local Greater London Pensioners' Association and organised petitions on behalf of the elderly.

Cllr Bean told the Yellow Advertiser: "I knew Bill to be a great believer in Socialism, in. fellowship, and the Catholic church.

"He lived for these beliefs and practised them daily. The highest esteem and affection that the residents of Wood Street had for him is a testament to that.

"He was overjoyed at the national Labour Party victory and when Labour won Wood Street in the local byelection it was the icing on the cake."

Bill leaves no family. No date has yet been fixed for his funeral at the time of going to press.