Murray Harlow – RIP May 1951 – May 2021

Remembering Murray Harlow – sadly missed

As was announced on social media at the end of last week, a much respected and loved Parish Councillor passed away on Friday 21st May. Cllr Murray Harlow passed away suddenly after being admitted to hospital only at the start of the week.

Larger than life

Murray was well known in the village, not just as a Cllr but as a genuinely larger than life character.  He was never happier when discussing village matters with the many friends and acquaintances he had in the village.

Murray was a member of the West Bergholt Parish Council for over 10 years where he served as a Vice-Chair of the former Premises Committee.  He was also a member of the Environment and Planning Committees and for several years the Council’s Communications Officer.

Many dimensions in his life

There cannot be many people locally who had not met Murray, either through:

• his work with the Parish Council
• the 5Ts ‘Tea, Cake & Chat’ club at St Mary’s,
• volunteering with the Care Network both as a driver and member of the committee, and
• his exhortations to save money via his work with Utility Warehouse. Indeed the PC and many PC Cllrs benefitted from the latter opportunities!

Murray was at his best speaking directly to members of the community. He was especially helpful when the Parish Plan was launched in 2008; again, with the Neighbourhood Plan exhibitions and consultations that took place in the period 2013 to 2019. I have vivid memories of him drawing people’s attention to our plans at the exhibitions in the Orpen Hall, and, when people were sceptical, warning them of the implications if we left things to chance or didn’t endorse the plan as a community.

Condolences