Derek Arnold

Derek Arnold

Then Mayor Derek Arnold and his wife and Mayoress Patricia during their ground-breaking trip to Pakistan in 1984 (©Waltham Forest Guardian, reproduced without permission for this package)

Cllr Derek Arnold in recent years.

Derek Arnold was one of the greats

By JONATHAN MOYES

jmoyes@london.newsquest.co.uk

DEREK Arnold was described as one of Chingford's great councillors by his friends and family following his sudden death on Friday.

His wife found him the following day at his Woodberry Way home, Chingford.

Cllr Arnold, 76, was born in Woodford in 1931 and when he grew up became an engineer in charge of research and development at canning company Metal Box, but was made redundant.

He set his own home improvement business and was so successful he did not need to advertise.

Cllr Arnold's political career started in 1978 when he represented Hatch End on Waltham Forest Council before moving to Chingford Green four years later, where he served ever since.

He was a member of and chaired numerous committees and spent 27 years on the planning committee. He was also Conservative chief whip for 14 years.

Cllr Michael Lewis said Cllr Arnold was committed to the Conservative Party and helping others.

He said:"There was a difficult time when there was a massive demonstration and I had to go out and talk to them. Derek told me: 'You're not going alone'.

"He was always there to help you when you were in trouble."

Conservative leader Cllr Geoffrey Walker added: "He was a character and extremely hard working campaigner for his constituents. He would knock on every door he could find."

Chingford MP lain Duncan Smith said: "Derek was a councillor whom I respected a great deal. He will be missed by all those who knew him."

The highlight of his political career was his year as Waltham Forest mayor in 1984 when he became the first British mayor to visit Pakistan.

He also enjoyed the plentiful meals that came with the office, and wife Patricia says he put on significant weight, so much so that his corpulence was featured in the Evening Standard.

Another of Cllr Arnold's passions was travel and he visited 64 countries and 25 islands, but would refuse to let his holidays conflict with council meetings.

During his youth he enjoying playing the drums and made a short appearance drumming with friends in the 1966 film Alfie, staring Michael Caine.

Cllr Arnold leaves his widow, two surviving children and three grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at Enfield Crematorium on Friday March 2 at 1.30p.m., and donations to Macmillan Cancer and Cancer Research are preferred to floral tributes.

A dedicated, robust, rambunctious friend: council pays tribute

LEADING Waltham Forest councillors have paid tribute to Derek Arnold.

As well as serving as mayor in 1984/5, he was deputy mayor in 1995/6.

In 2002 he received a Civic Award from the council, recognising his long and distinguished service as an elected member.

Cllr Arnold served on a wide range of committees during his 28 years, and was also chair of the environment committee from 1982 to 1984 and chair of planning from 1985 (NOTE: should this be 1995?) to 1996. He represented the borough on the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority.

Leader of the council, Cllr Clyde Loakes, said: "While we sat on opposite benches politically, I always respected Cllr Arnold for his robust and rambunctious approach to representing his party and his constituents in the Chingford Green ward.

"On behalf of the council, I would like to express my condolences to his family and friends at this sad time."

Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Geoff Walker, paid tribute to his colleague, saying: "Derek Arnold has been a long-standing asset to our group, as well as being a personal friend.

"He will be greatly missed as a councillor and among the community he served tirelessly.

"His greatest concern was for the electorate and would always talk to and try and help people, regardless of how they voted at elections."

Deputy leader of the council and leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Keith Rayner, said:

"Derek Arnold brought a wealth of experience and knowledge into his work as a councillor.

"He will be sadly missed, both in the chamber and by the people of Chingford Green whom he has represented with determination and dedication for many years."

Cllr Arnold continued to represent his constituents despite being diagnosed with cancer a year ago.

Waltham Forest Guardian February 22, 2007..