Council staff pay tribute to Beadle
Staff at Warwickshire County Council have paid tribute to presenter Jeremy Beadle, who died from pneumonia aged 59 last week.
The television and radio celebrity hosted the county council’s Long Service Awards at Leamington Spa’s Pump Rooms in June last year.
Council employees, who were recognised at the special awards ceremony for more than 25 years’ service at the local authority, were not only presented with their awards by Mr Beadle but also got the opportunity to chat with him at the event.
Following last week’s sad announcement, staff were keen to pay tribute to the man they described as “kind”, “considerate” and “intelligent.”
Paul Freeman, Manager of Warwickshire County Council’s Wellesbourne Workshop, was one employee who enjoyed Jeremy’s company at the awards - and said that he had made the evening very memorable for him and his wife.
Paul said: “It is one thing to see someone on TV, but it is different when you meet them in person.
“Jeremy came across as being a very kind, considerate and interesting person, and my wife and I were both shocked when we found out the sad news last week.
“Before the awards ceremony, he had a long chat with us about Leamington and was extremely positive.
“We also chatted about all his charity work. He has done so much, it made the small amount of charity work I do sound like peanuts!
“He was obviously a very clever and intelligent man. We’d like to send our thoughts and condolences to his family and let them know that we appreciate all he did. All I can say is, what a guy!”
John Height, a Principal Finance Officer at the county council, also enjoyed Jeremy’s unique sense of humour at the awards evening. “I was sad to hear the news of his death,” said John.
“The awards evening was a huge success and Jeremy came across as witty, but also demonstrated sensitivity in recognising the achievements of Warwickshire County Council staff. He paid tribute to them on numerous occasions during the evening.”
Harbie Atwal, another long-serving employee who currently works as an Administrative Assistant for the council’s Highways Area Office in Rugby, also expressed her sadness at the news.
Harbie said her “mind went blank” when the TV celebrity called her on to the stage at the awards ceremony and commented that “it was like being on TV”.
Paying tribute to Mr Beadle, Harbie said: “He was a very nice, down to earth, likeable person who brought tears of laughter and happiness to many people throughout his life.
“I remember him from my childhood and tried never to miss his shows. He will sadly be missed by many.”
Meanwhile long-serving Nuneaton fire fighter, Mark Rattray, who currently works as a Crew Manager based at Nuneaton Fire Station, said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear about the loss of Jeremy Beadle. I was privileged to meet him at the recent awards.
“He was a jovial and comical person who left you in no doubt that he was genuinely interested in our achievement.
“He took a particular interest in my time as a firefighter and spoke at length with me before and during the awards ceremony. The evening itself was special to me but Jeremy helped it to be more so. My thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family.”