TRIBUTE TO KEITH FRANCIS
During his working life Keith taught Classics. In retirement Keith was a member of the Ledbury Community through and through, participating in numerous aspects of Ledbury Life and a friend to many.
Ledbury Town Council: Keith became a member of the Town Council during the early 2000’s. During his terms of office, he was Mayor twice, in 2004 when his Mayoress was the late Pam Jukes and 2009 when his Mayoress was Gill Pitt. During both terms of office, they made a great contribution to the Town and were very supportive of many local organisations, helping to raise their profiles and for some raising funds. Keith was also one of the Councillors who helped to forge strong links with HMS Ledbury.
Keith and the Town Crier, ‘Bill the Bell’ were regularly on the High Street, on a Saturday morning to greet residents and visitors alike.
Apart from being very active within Council Committees and events Keith was also very supportive of the staff team and would go out of his way to help them and get to know them.
Keith’s last term of office ended in May 2019 when he didn’t stand for election.
Ledbury Primary School Governing Body: Keith became a Governor for Ledbury Primary School in 2009. He had attended several events at the school during his second term as Mayor and wanted to continue the involvement.
He was a Link Governor for one cohort of children when they were in Nursery and stayed with them until they left the School after Year 6 joining in lessons, supporting on School trips and took part in the annual School Carnival; many remember the year that he attended as an astronaut.
He is well remembered by staff, governors and children alike.
Ledbury Children’s Centre: Keith opened the Children’s Centre along with Councillor Jenny Hyde in 2008. He attended many events there including Pancake Day races and one particularly memorable occasion when he and Bill the Bell sat on the floor and joined in with a baby and toddler Sing and Sign session there.
Silurian Morris Men: Keith was a staunch supporter and danced with the Silurian Morris Men for many years. He could always be found with them by the Market House on a Boxing Day morning, dancing and in later years rattling their collection bucket.
Ledbury Carnival Association: Keith attended and participated in Ledbury Carnival for 25 years. For many of these he was a member of the Committee, he took part in the procession in some wonderful costumes, sold raffle tickets in the lead up and on Carnival Day itself and was always a great asset in promoting one of Ledbury’s biggest community events.
Other Voluntary Organisations: Keith was a volunteer at the Old Gramma School, the Butcher’s Row Museum, Ledbury Civic Society, Ledbury in Bloom over many years.
Alongside all the above Keith loved travel and culture, visiting many far-flung destinations with fascinating tales to tell. It was during 2020 at the start of Covid that Keith was on a cruise ship travelling around America when he had an ‘enforced stay’ on the ship, for almost a fortnight, until it docked in Florida and he was able to fly home. By all accounts he rather enjoyed the adventure.
Keith is much missed by many people and organisations having made an indelible mark on the town of Ledbury over the years; he epitomised citizenship and community together.