Tributes paid to former Winchester mayor Fred Allgood (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Tributes paid to former Winchester mayor Fred Allgood

10:20am Thursday 17th November 2011 in Bishop's Waltham By Andrew Napier

FLAGS are flying at half mast for a long-serving Winchester city councillor and former mayor who has died.

Fred Allgood, represented Denmead on the city council from 1983 until 2010 and was still a county councillor for the Winchester southern parishes when he passed away on Saturday (NOV12) at the Rowans Hospice near Waterlooville.

He leaves his wife Sheila, two daughters, two sons and nine grandchildren.

Mr Allgood, 78, was mayor in 1989-90 and in his 20s and 30s worked as a reporter for national newspapers such as the Sun and News Chronicle and in Australia and the USA. Later, the father of four, had worked into public relations for IBM.

He was believed to be the first journalist to hold the historic mayoral office.

Mr Allgood was an energetic and good-humoured mayor clocking up a record 540 engagements in his year, leading to calls for the mayor to slow down.

Although a traditionalist, he did bring the mayoral office into the 1980s by acquiring a computer.

A committed supporter of the Theatre Royal he went against many of his Tory colleagues in the late 1980s and early 1990s who wanted to withdraw funding from the then financially-troubled venue.

His love of theatre was clear when he went on stage in 1990 to collect a cheque from the St Cross Drama Group. He ended up joining the chorus for Goodbyee.

Whilst on the city council he had been chairman of the housing committee and cabinet member for finance and resources.

He remained active until recently becoming vice-chairman of Hampshire County Council in May. He also served as a magistrate on the Portsmouth bench.

His county council ward included Boarhunt, Denmead, Southwick, Whiteley, Wickham, and Knowle Village.

For many years Cllr Allgood worked alongside Cllr Patricia Stallard both on the Conservative city council cabinet and in Denmead.

She said: “I have known Freddie Allgood for many, many years, as a good neighbour, colleague and friend. He was well-liked and much respected throughout the district, being focused and dedicated to serving the community.

“The experience and wisdom that Freddie brought to council chambers will be sorely missed.”

Hampshire County Council Chairman, Councillor Anna McNair Scott said: “I am deeply saddened at losing Cllr Allgood as my vice chairman and will miss his wisdom and support. He was an unfailingly considerate and courteous man and my thoughts are with his wife and family at this very sad time.”

Council leader Ken Thornber, said: "Freddie Allgood was not a flamboyant councillor, instead he quietly worked for his constituents and for the councils on which he served. He was a wise man and many councillors when they joined Winchester City Council or the county council sought his advice and counsel, and they pay tribute to that wisdom and the courteous way he delivered it."