Community hero had so many talents (From Stroud News and Journal)

Community hero had so many talents

THE MAN at the heart of a community in so many ways died on Monday at the age of 74. Parish clerk, cricketer, bell ringer, compere, telecom engineer, Commoner, historian, gardener, newspaper reporter and more besides, WJS 'Bill' Brunt was a credit to his beloved Five Valleys and will be deeply missed.

"Bill was Mr Woodchester, he cared so much about the community," said former Stroud News & Journal editor Dennis Mason.

"He had a wonderful local knowledge of people and places which was very important in his job.

"His friendly manner made him very popular. He was a super compere at the Stroud Brass Band Festival and he was a great friend."

He served as Woodchester parish clerk for an incredible 45 years and was a familiar sight in Rodborough and Woodchester, with his pipe perched at the corner of his mouth.

The Woodchester mosaic was a great passion of his and it would be fair to say that he became an authority on it. When it was last uncovered he dealt with the phenomenal interest of the world's media.

He was a keen sportsman and followed the fortunes of Woodchester CC keenly, as a player right through to president. During the Second World War he obtained special permission for a German prisoner of war to play for his Woodchester side and kept in touch with him over the years.

Born and educated in Woodchester, he moved to Rodborough when he was 12, and attended Marling School. After nine years with the post office he was taken on by the then Stroud Journal as a sports writer and photographer. He spent most of his working life at The Citizen. Although he retired he returned to work straight away, which summed up the essence of his attitude to life.

"It was not work to him because it was like a hobby," said his wife Joyce, who he met while out on his district drive in Avening, as a young reporter.

Bell ringing was a particular passion of his, dating back to 1938 at Woodchester and he rose to tower captain.

He was nominated a hero of Gloucestershire in 2000 and attended a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in recognition of his services to the community. The Rotary Club also recognised his services to the community with a special award.

He is survived by Joyce and two sons, Mark and Julian.

The funeral will be held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Woodchester on Friday at 11am. Donations can be made to Cotswold Care Hospice.