Tributes Paid After The Deaths Of Former Merton Councillors

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Sad news about Stuart Pickover and John Nelson-Jones

Tributes have been paid to former Mayor of Merton and Wimbledon councillor Stuart Pickover, who has died at the age of 74.

John Stuart Pickover, known as Stuart, was elected as a Labour councillor for the Dundonald ward in Wimbledon in 1994 and served as a councillor there until 2002. He was the Mayor of Merton from 2001 to 2002.

Merton Council leader, Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “I am saddened to hear of the death of Stuart Pickover who served as a Labour Dundonald ward councillor and mayor of Merton.

“He was liked by everyone who knew him and would always go out of his way to help people. I would like to pass my sincere condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Councillor Oonagh Moulton, Merton Conservative group leader, said: “I am saddened to learn of former councillor and past mayor of Merton Stuart Pickover’s death. He was a community stalwart and on behalf of the Conservative group of councillors I send our deepest condolences to his family.”

Councillor David Williams, who served alongside Mr Pickover during his time at Merton Council, said: “Stuart and his late wife were loyal Labour party members and yet I forged a personal bond with them based on trust and mutual respect.

“When he lost his council seat in 2002 at the conclusion of his year in office it was a bitter blow but he never let it cloud our relationship.  He was a good servant of his party but more particularly of his constituents in Dundonald ward.”

John Nelson-Jones, Merton Park Independent Resident Ward Councillor for eight years from 1998, has also died recently. 
 
Peter Southgate, Leader of Merton Park Ward Independent Residents said: “John was a great source of guidance and support when Jillian Ashton and I were first elected as councillors for Merton Park Ward in 2002.

“During the first few months when it dawns on you that your responsibilities far outstrip your understanding, J N-J could be relied upon to steer Jillian and me through the forbidding protocol of council meetings, and make sure we voted for the right side at the right time. His counsel was always wise and balanced, and I learned a great deal from our discussions of contentious local issues that has stood me in good stead ever since."

December 9, 2016