Town Pays Tribute to Former Mayor Richard Billington

Published on: 19 Jul, 2022
Updated on: 23 Jul, 2022

Richard Billington

By Martin Giles

Holy Trinity church was full for Richard Billington’s memorial service yesterday (July 18). The former Mayor of Guildford and borough councillor died in May, having suffered from a brain tumour.

Nearly half of the pews were reserved for GBC members and aldermen and councillors from across the political spectrum were present, reflecting the wide popularity of the Conservative councillor who represented Tillingbourne ward.

Friend and colleague Cllr Paul Spooner spoke in tribute giving a summary of Cllr Billington’s life from his boyhood in Croydon, followed by service on Croydon Council, then in the Territorial Army, in the Intelligence Corps, and his subsequent move to his Gomshall home and membership of Guildford Borough Council where he was quickly promoted to the Executive, first under Stephen Mansbridge.

He remained on the Executive until his service as a deputy mayor and mayor, serving an unusual two-year spell from May 2019 to May 2021 because of the Covid pandemic.

The congregation singing Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Canon Robert Cotton spoke of his presnce and his endearing ready smile. Col Patrick Crowley read People Liked Him by Edgar Guest.

The congregation sang three hymns: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, Who would true valour see, and I Vow to Thee My Country.

After the service a reception was held at the Guildhall.

Responses to Town Pays Tribute to Former Mayor Richard Billington

Pauline Searle Reply

July 20, 2022 at 11:01 am

A lovely service for a lovely man.

This was certainly reflected in the many people that attended. Especially in the amount of ex Officers from GBC who returned to remember him clearly shows how well he was thought of by members of all parties and council officers alike.

I think the Edgar Guest poem People Liked Him, could have been written with Richard in mind.

We will all certainly miss Richard’s ready smile and good humour. RIP

Pauline Searle is a former Mayor of Guildford and Lib Dem borough councillor.