MAYOR of Worcester Coun Adrian Gregson has led the tributes to former city and county councilor Rob Peachey who has died at the age of 84.
Rob was first elected to Worcester City Council in 1988 and served until 2000, and again from 2003 until 2008. He first represented All Saints Ward (now Cathedral ward), then St Nicholas and Arboretum.
He was a senior figure in the city’s Labor group, and chaired first the Contract Services Board and then Leisure Services Committee. He was also involved in many local charities and for many years was chair of homelessness charity, Maggs Day Centre.
Rob also served as a county councilor for Nunnery Division from May 1989 until June 2009.
The senior Labor voice hit the headlines in 2008 when he revealed he would walk away from Worcester politics in protest at the then system of cabinet government at the Guildhall.
He described the system as ‘undemocratic’ and said a ‘small group of councilors make all the key decisions’.
The former councilor returned to the headlines as a good samaritan in 2018 when he gave £200 to a Warndon father-of-three after he was fined £900 for leaving his children’s toys in a communal garden, a fine described by Mr Peachey at the time as ‘outrageous’
Paying tribute, Coun Gregson, said: “Rob was a hugely committed and energetic councillor—thoroughly engaged and committed to his local community. He had a deep and enduring love for the city and worked hard at city and county level for many years.
“He made a significant contribution to all aspects of the council, notably planning and culture and heritage. Rob worked hard and had high expectations of those around him.
“After retiring from the council, he continued to work with local groups and charity organisations, including Worcester Consolidated, for the betterment of those less fortunate than himself.
“He was well respected and admired across the council by members and officers and he will be sadly missed.”