Kent News - Former KCC leader Sandy Bruce-Lockhart dies

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Former KCC leader Sandy Bruce-Lockhart dies

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Lord Bruce-Lockhart pictures last month

Lord Bruce-Lockhart when he led KCC

Former Kent County Council leader Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart has died today aged 66.

News of the death of the Tory grandee, who had been battling cancer since late last year, broke this morning.

Despite his illness, Lord Bruce-Lockhart still found time to perform his duties as the chairman of English Heritage.

He also regularly voiced his opinions on certain subjects in the House of Lords, after being made a Lord in 2006.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart previously lived in Zimbabwe and Australia, before moving to Kent in the 1960s. He had two fruit farms in the county and lived in Headcorn, near Maidstone.

He was married to Tess and had three children Mark, Natasha and Simon.

He became a county councillor for Maidstone Rural East in 1989 after chairing a rail committee in the Weald of Kent preservation society – protesting over the route of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart led KCC from 1997-2005.

He was knighted in the New Year’s Honours List in 2002, and when he was made a peer last year he was given the title Baron Bruce-Lockhart, of The Weald in the County of Kent.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart was also a former chairman of the Local Government Association.

He was a long-standing President of Maidstone Conservative Association and was involved in the search for a replacement to former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe, who is standing down as the area's MP at the next election.

To leave your tributes to Lord Bruce-Lockhart, click on the comment button below.

POSTED: 14/08/2008 11:35:08

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Comments:

Added: Friday 15/08/2008 10:42:03 UK

The death of Sandy Bruce-Lockhart after a long fight against cancer is a major loss to Kent.
It was with great sadness that I read about his death on your website.
It was easy to forget that Sandy was a Tory, as he always represented the best interests of Kent and not narrow-minded party political lines.
I was lucky enough to meet him and he came across as a true gentleman who really cared about our wonderful county.
His kind may never be seen again. He will be truly missed.

Mark Rogers, Sittingbourne, Kent

Added: Thursday 14/08/2008 22:56:50 UK

The Webb family send our sincere condolences to Tess and family.
Sandy was a very kind man who gave a wonderful service to Kent and to Local Government across the UK, and to English Heritage.

Sandy will be greatly missed, especially in Kent.
GRAHAM WEBB MBE

Graham Webb MBE, Sevenoaks, Kent

Added: Thursday 14/08/2008 19:04:36 UK

Our condolences to his family. He was a true human being who everyone respected. He will be sadly missed.

Reg & Wendy Hansell, Shepherdswell, Kent

Added: Thursday 14/08/2008 13:17:32 UK

I had the pleasure of working with Sandy as a press officer for four years whilst he was chairman of the LGA - he was a lovely man and a pleasure to work with.
I'm very sorry to hear of his sad passing this morning and his wife, Tess, and his family are in my thoughts. xx

Lynne Morris, Orpington, Kent

Added: Thursday 14/08/2008 11:53:04 UK

I am shocked and saddened to hear Sandy Bruce-Lockhart's has died.
He always struck me as fair and honest, which is rare for politicians, and fought incredibly hard for our county.
I think his stance on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was commendable and he continued to stand up for the people throughout his political career.
He will be sadly missed and my thoughts go to his family at this difficult time.

Ben Matthews, from Maidstone.

Ben Matthews, maidstone, kent

Added: Thursday 14/08/2008 11:48:59 UK

My friend has just told me this news after reading it on your site and I am devastated.

I was lucky enough to meet Sandy on a number of occasions and he was always a real gentleman.

He will be greatly missed by everyone in this county.

Mrs K Gower, Canterbury, Kent

Added: Thursday 14/08/2008 11:44:32 UK

How very sad I was to read about Sandy Bruce-Lockhart's death.

He did so much for this county and will be sorely missed.

I pass on my condolences to his family.

H Riggs, Ashford, Kent