R&R Life News
Minute's silence for former borough mayor who made "immense" contribution to Horley
1:36pm Tuesday 21st February 2012
Councillors and residents have been paying tribute to former borough mayor and charity stalwart John McFarlane of Horley.
Mr McFarlane, who was mayor of Reigate and Banstead from 1987 to 1988, an active member of Horley Lions, a president of the Horley Residents' Association and a past chairman of Horley Local History Society, died earlier this month, aged 78.
Horley town council clerk Alan Jones said he was “an absolute gentleman” and his contribution to the town had been “immense.”
Mr McFarlane, a chartered surveyor, moved to Horley with his wife in 1959.
They had a son and a daughter.
He became an independent councillor for Horley West in 1970, before joining the Conservative Party, and served 17 years with the borough council.
Mr McFarlane supported local good causes through his role as chairman of the Horley Lions' Welfare Committee.
But arguably his passion was for local history, and he was a keen member of Horley Local History Society, serving a term as its chairman from 1994.
He even turned over rooms in his house to the society for a time, using them as its archive store.
Horley Local History Society committee member Brian Buss said: “One of the things he loved were the shops in Horley.”
Mr Buss said: “He used to go out almost every Sunday and if a shop had changed, he would photograph it. He supplied a great deal of photographs.
“That was his passion and he used to give talks about shops in Horley.”
Horley town clerk Alan Jones said: “He was an absolute gentleman and great to deal with.”
He said Mr McFarlane's contribution to Horley had earned him a Horley Town Award in 2002.
“That's something nominated by members of the public and so not given freely,” he said.
“It was given in recognition of his selfless service and commitment to the community in countless ways, including service on the Horley Citizens Advice Bureau management committee, as president of the Horley Residents Association and chairman of the welfare committee of the Horley Lions.”
His citation said he had “always made an immense contribution” to Horley Local History Society.
Both the town and borough councils held a minute's silence in his memory before their full council meetings last week.
Mr McFarlane's health had deteriorated following the death of his wife several years ago.
His funeral was held at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium in Balcombe Road, Crawley.