Tributes paid to long serving West Lindsey district councillor and 'true gentleman'

Coun Charles Lewis Strange died at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham overnight on Thursday, May 28, following a short illness.

Sir Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough, said: “Lewis was a wonderful man. The very best of Lincolnshire; kind and dedicated.

“As straight as an arrow and always ready with honest, sound advice. A superb councillor. Greatly loved and missed.”

Coun Strange who was also a Lincolnshire County Councillor will be sorely missed by colleagues across the County of Lincolnshire.

West Lindsey District Council lowered its flag to half-mast at its headquarters in Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough as a sign of respect and it will remain in situ until the date of his funeral.

Chairman of the Council, Coun Steve England said: “A true gentleman. His unstinting service to West Lindsey and Lincolnshire, the county he loved, will be sorely missed.”

Coun Strange was born in 1943 and was first elected to West Lindsey District Council in 1999 and was subsequently re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

The dedicated, passionate and long-serving County and District Councillor will be sorely missed by people living in his Kelsey Wold ward, his Market Rasen Wolds division and his colleagues

Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Coun Giles McNeill said: “Lewis was one of the first people I got to know when I joined the local party 15 years ago.

“Always a regular at party events, perhaps talking about cricket, the Wolds, politics or farming, he was a true gentleman and I know he will be sorely missed.”

Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: "I’m very sorry to hear the sad news about Lewis. He was a highly respected and popular councillor on Lincolnshire County and West Lindsey District Councils.

“As a local man with long-standing roots in the county, he was a passionate advocate for Lincolnshire and rural life in particular in its many aspects.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time."

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