Obituary: Ted Mayne, Former Lib Dem Councillor

Published on: 8 Mar, 2025
Updated on: 8 Mar, 2025

Ted Mayne

The following statement was issued by Guildford Liberal Democrats

It is with great sadness that we are announcing that our good friend, former councillor and longstanding member of Guildford Liberal Democrats, Ted (Edward) Mayne, passed away this week.

Ted served as a Guildford Borough Councillor for Burpham from 2003-2011 and again from 2019-2023. Before that he was a civil servant, working in the Foreign Office, and was posted across the world over his career.

The knowledge he gained in his career he used in his retirement to help people experiencing visa and immigration issues. He was a friend of the Guildford Muslim community and was passionate about welcoming people to Guildford, even connecting with professional dancers Flavia and Vincent.

Election hustings 2015. Lib Dem candidate Ted Mayne (right) chats to Conservative candidate Matt Furniss.

Ted was born and raised in Guildford, attending the Royal Grammar School, and had a lifelong connection to Burpham, from being there as a schoolboy when the Duke of Edinburgh opened Sutherland Memorial Park to his years representing the community as their local councillor.

He loved sport, particularly cricket and was a member of Surrey County Cricket Club. He was also an active member of St Saviour’s Church and supported many local and national charities, alongside his late wife Marion. He was never happier than when he was serving the community and local people.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family. Ted will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Zöe Franklin, MP, shared: “From the first day I met Ted I was struck by his deep and genuine care for people and communities across Guildford. He was always generous with his time and resources, and would often call me for a chat, offer advice and to encourage me to keep fighting the good fight.

“I will miss Ted as a friend and for his quiet, caring and determined approach to serving the people of Guildford Borough.”

Ciaran Doran, Chair of Guildford Liberal Democrats: “Ted was a gentleman and with a kindness in his voice he supported so many of us around him with his listening ear. Ted’s natural state was one of support and rather than criticise, he adopted a wonderful tone of British understatement that did the job. As a friend of the Liberal Democrats here in Guildford he will be missed very much.”

Ted Mayne (right) as a member of a winning quiz team in Burpham. George Potter is top left.

George Potter, Borough Councillor for Burpham and County Councillor for Guildford East: “Ted lived his life caring for and helping other people, and that’s how I will always remember him. He was generous of spirit, never having an unkind word to say about anyone in all the years I knew him, and he was incredibly kind and supportive to me as a new and less experienced colleague when we were both elected to the council in 2019.

“For me, if there’s any memory that sums up the kind of man Ted was, it’s the way he seemed to know everyone in Burpham or the way he diligently attended the weekly coffee morning at the church for older people, showing up rain or shine to take part and be available for anyone who might need his help.

“He was a diligent councillor, a true liberal, passionate about helping others and a good friend and colleague. I will miss him deeply, and his passing leaves us all the worse for his absence, but the better for his life.”

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