A FORMER mayor and community stalwart has died unexpectedly.

Raymond Pope, 68, of Sidcup, gave unstinting service to the community for much of his life.

He served as councillor for Sidcup West ward from 1965, when Bexley borough was formed, until 1990. Before then he spent 10 years on Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District Council.

He was mayor of Bexley in 1970, having served as deputy the year before. And he was elected deputy mayor again in 1977.

Councillor Malcolm Ketley said: "He was a wonderful man to work with. He taught me everything I know and I hope I shall be able to live up to his standards. He was also a wonderful friend."

Mr Pope was born in Cardiff in 1930, moved to Sidcup at the age of nine and studied at Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School.

He worked for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute for 28 years, including eight as a volunteer.

Mr Pope died suddenly and unexpectedly on September 1.

The funeral service takes place at 2pm tomorrow, at St John's Road, Church Road, Sidcup, with a cremation at Falconwood Crematorium, Crown Woods Way, Eltham, at 3.30pm.

Mr Pope's widow Sheila has asked mourners not to send flowers but to make donations to the RNLI. Send them to RNLI (Bexleyheath branch), c/o Mrs Thake, 30 Hurlingham Road, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 5PF.

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