Councillor dies outside civic centre

THE death of councillor Oliver Wingrove on the steps of Arun Civic Centre in Littlehampton on Monday has shocked all who knew him.

Mr Wingrove, 67, was Arun district councillor for Angmering and West Sussex County Council member for Angmering and Findon.

He died suddenly of a suspected heart attack after collapsing on the steps of the civic centre at just before 6pm.

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While onlookers tried to help, an ambulance was called and a member of council staff ran to Littlehampton fire station to seek help.

Firefighters attempted to give first aid to Mr Wingrove, who was then taken by ambulance to Worthing Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Arun Council chairman Tony Squires said he was shocked by the news of Mr Wingrove's death. He had been with him and fellow Arun councillor Ricky Bower during the day on Monday.

The three men had been aboard a boat on the sea off Rustington to scatter the ashes of former Arun chairman Harold Parris, who died on February 28.

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"Oliver seemed fine then, he was in good spirits," said Mr Squires. "I've known him ever since I joined the council 12 years ago. He was a great man, who was good fun and will be sadly missed."

One of Mr Wingrove's fellow Angmering councillors, Paul Bicknell, said: "It's a great shock to all who knew him. Oliver was a good man and he will be greatly missed.

"He inspired me to become a district councillor in the first place and I will miss his long-standing expertise that he had with both Arun council and the county council."

Mr Wingrove, who lived in Findon, had been a member of Arun Council since 1991 and was its deputy leader between 1995 and 1997.

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He had served on the county council since 2001 and was deputy cabinet member for strategic planning, as well as serving on the health scrutiny select committee and the joint downland and joint eastern Arun local committees.

He was also a member of Littlehampton Harbour Board.

A qualified cricket umpire, Mr Wingrove was a keen member of Findon Cricket Club and enjoyed horse racing at Goodwood and Fontwell Park racecourses.

County council leader Henry Smith said: "I would like to express my sympathy to Oliver's family. Everyone at County Hall was shocked and saddened to hear about his sudden death.

"He had a friendly and relaxed manner but was a determined man who served his local residents, and the wider West Sussex community, extremely well."

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Mr Norman Dingemans, leader of Arun Council, said: "Oliver has played an active role in the council and has been a cabinet member since the cabinet system was set up six years ago. He has gained many friends within Arun District Council and will be sorely missed."