We’ve had some sad news – Echo political reporter Geoff Percival has passed away, following some months of illness.
Geoff was the archetypal newspaperman, a true professional and often willing to relax and chat after a council meeting with a pint in one hand and a pen in the other. Although he no doubt had his own political views he strove to be fair, and was genuinely interested in the future of Rayleigh. Another blogger’s memories of him are here.
It’s quite unnerving to think that none of us will hear his familiar drawl down the telephone ever again.
– Chris Black
Geoff was always courteous and maintained the highest level of ethics in gathering information for his articles. They were fair and unbiased nothwithstanding that we all knew where he stood on national politics. I will miss Geoff personally like so many, many others in local politics and many, many more that are not. RIP.
Before moving up here to Colchester where I am now Deputy Leader of the Council (and a Lib Dem) I was born and bred in Hockley and my dad Cliff was one time chairman of Hawkwell Parish Council. On leaving school at 16 I got my first job on the old Southend Standard and thus met Geoff who was working for a Rayleigh paper and also one on Canvey. He and I spent many happy hours together covering such jobs as Thundersley Ratepayers Association and Benfleet Council before I moved up here and was given the Deputy Editorship of the Chelmsford Weekly News for which by then Geoff was South Essex correspondent. I well remember him during Colchester Cricket weeks (where the paper was printed) pint mug in one hand and umbrella in the other! Rampantly right-wing opposite my Liberalism we had some feisty political discussions too. Although I haven’t seen him for years I was very sad to hear the news.
Chris and June Lumley will be attending Geoff’s funeral, as his ward councilllors, amd on behalf of the Lib Dem group.