Press Release - John Meech Obituary
Press Release
December 2019
John Alastair Meech Obituary
31 January 1935 - 14 November 2019
John was born in Reigate to parents Thomas and Elsie, a younger brother for Zoe.
John started his education at Holmesdale Primary School (interrupted during the war when he was evacuated to Dorset), then went on to Reigate Priory School - finishing off as Head Boy. He completed his education at Redhill Technology College studying Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
In 1952, John joined the Air Traffic Control division of the RAF based in Germany, then after three years he was attached to the Royal Dutch Airforce as an instructor. After leaving the RAF in 1956, he continued his career as a mechanical design engineer.
His interests in all things sporting has never waned from the time he competed in athletics at all levels, including representing Great Britain in junior track 1952-3 and cross country and track 1962-3. He was a member of Redhill and Surrey Beagles Athletics Club for over 50 years and served as President of the club, as well as being a member of Walton Athletic Club for 11 years. In addition, he was a member of Shoreham Boat & Yacht Club for seven years as well.
John was active in politics for most of his life, serving as Young Conservatives Branch Chairman for Reigate and as YC Branch President for Redhill. He was a founder member of the Redhill Branch of the Conservative Party and was Branch Chairman for its first two years. Later in life, John was very proud to have been elected Life Branch President for Horley Conservatives.
As a local councillor, John served the communities he lived in well. He was a member of Reigate Borough Council from 1970-1974 representing Reigate Central, then remained on the council when it became Reigate & Banstead Borough Council from 1974-1980. Having moved to Horley in the meantime, he re-joined the Borough Council in 1992 to represent Horley East, eventually retiring in 2008. John was the Vice-Chairman of the Recreation & Amenities committee from 1973-75 and of its successor committee, Leisure Services, from 2000-01. He served on the Reigate & Banstead Sports Council, representing both his athletics club and the Borough Council.
He was also a Horley Town Councillor, serving from 1998-1991 and again from 1995-2008.
John served as Deputy Mayor of Reigate & Banstead twice, in 2002/3 and 2004/5. He was also Vice-Chairman of Horley Town Council and Deputy Town Mayor from 1999-2007. He was made an Honorary Alderman of Reigate & Banstead in 2016.
John was an active member of the Reigate & Banstead Twinning Association and went to Eschweiler for the Carnival on several occasions.
He had a stroke in 2014, however recovered sufficiently to continue driving although he then struggled to get in and out of his beloved MGB sports car. He celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends in 2015.
Following a fall in March 2019, he was admitted to East Surrey Hospital, where he stayed for some months, before moving to Coppice Lea Nursing Home in Merstham where he spent his final months.
ENDS
