Tributes to proud Cubbingtonian Cliff Cleaver

Tributes have been made to a proud Cubbingtonian who served people in the village and throughout Warwickshire for more than 40 years.
Cliff Cleaver in 2009Cliff Cleaver in 2009
Cliff Cleaver in 2009

Councillors who worked alongside Cliff Cleaver spoke this week in praise of the Ledbrook Road resident, who died last Friday.

Over the years Mr Cleaver, who was in his mid-80s, had been a chairman at Cubbington parish, Warwick district and Warwickshire County Council level, chairman of Warwickshire Police Authority and had a community pavilion named after him in the village where he lived for all of his life.

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Warwick district councillor Norman Pratt said: “It was Cliff who first encouraged me to join Cubbington parish council, and we worked together for many years.

“Although I have lived in Cubbington for more than 50 years I know Cliff still regarded me as a new comer.

“It would be extremely difficult to find a person with a more impressive public record.

“Although in later years ill health affected Cliff’s activities he was always ready to give anyone the benefit of his advice, especially if it involved Cubbington.

“He will be sadly missed.”

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In tribute to Mr Cleaver’s work over the years, Cubbington parish council built the Cliff Cleaver Pavilion at village’s playing field.

The Pavilion was opened by Mr Cleaver in 2008, with the purpose of providing facilities for clubs and sports teams.

Mr Cleaver retired as a councillor the following year and at the time he said: “I have enjoyed every moment. I think I tried to do what I could for people , whether it was offering advice or being able to help them.”

Mr Cleaver joined the parish council in 1968 when he was 39.

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He went on to represent the Conservatives on Warwick District Council for 24 years from 1979 and he was chairman of Warwickshire County Council from 2002 to 2003.

He was also a trustee and a chairman of the Thomas Sotherne Charity, a cause set up to help elderly people in Cubbington.

When he retired from political life, Mr Cleave was thanked by parish councillor David Saul for the support he gave to him and his wife Theresa - the council’s current chairman - when she was being treated for cancer.

Mr Cleaver leaves his wife June.

Arrangements for his funeral are yet to be published.