JEFFERY TILLETTJeffery Tillett, the first mayor of the city of Derby and the last surviving alderman, died on 4 April, 2008, aged 80.Mr Tillett, who was mayor in 1977 when the Queen visited Derby, officially giving it city status, died at his home.His partner of 37 years, councillor and former mayor Robin Wood, spent the last four years caring for him at their Whitaker Road home.He had suffered heart problems following a series of strokes.The former Conservative councillor lived an extremely full life. He was an English teacher, a music examiner, a county councillor, leader of the city council and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Derby.Derby historian and Evening Telegraph columnist Maxwell Craven was a friend of Mr Tillett, having known him for more than 30 years.Mr Craven said: "Jeffery was about the most cultivated man I have ever met. He was one of the more life-enhancing people we’ve had in Derby and so it is a serious loss."Mr Tillett, who grew up in Alvaston, was first elected as a councillor in 1957 in the then Dale ward. He was leader of the city council between 1988 and 1989 – his final year serving as a councillor.He was made an alderman for his long service. The title is very rarely given nowadays.He was a county councillor between 1977 and 1981.Mr Tillett’s great love was music, and between 1988 and 2002, he financed eight free lunchtime concerts in Derby Assembly Rooms.In 1998, Mr Tillett was given an honorary doctorate by the University of Derby for his role in promoting arts in the city.Mr Tillett met Mr Wood at Bramcote Hills Technical Grammar School, Bramcote, in Nottinghamshire. At the time, Mr Tillett was an English teacher and Mr Wood a pupil. They moved in with one another after Mr Wood left school. The couple tied the knot at their home in May 2006, when a change in the law enabled civil partnerships.Oakwood councillor Pauline Latham, who was also taught by Mr Tillett, said he had a great sense of humour.Mrs Latham said: "He was a strict teacher and commanded a lot of respect but he was well liked."It was strange for me when I first came along to a Conservative party meeting with Jeffery there and not calling him Mr Tillett or sir."Mr Tillett was a founder member of the East Midlands Arts Association, Derby Playhouse, Derby Civic Society, Metro Cinema and the Derby Community Arts Trust.Derby Evening Telegraph columnist Anton Rippon said: "Jeffery was always passionate about the city. Today’s politicians could learn from his example."
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