CHRISTCHURCH held a rare civic funeral yesterday in honour of a man who served the community six times as mayor.

Eric Spreadbury MBE, who died on April 26, aged 94, served on Christchurch Borough Council for more than 50 years and committed much of his free time to civic events, school boards, charity work and organising sporting activities for young people.

For 53 years he represented Mudeford and Highcliffe, and yesterday’s procession began at Highcliffe Castle before wending its way through his old ward.

On arriving in Christchurch High Street, the hearse carrying his body was met by a civic delegation from the council – dressed in the formal robes and regalia which Mr Spreadbury had himself championed during his time in local government.

A procession through the High Street, which saw it closed off for around 10 minutes, was followed by a service of thanksgiving at the Priory Church, opened by the Reverend Canon Charles Stewart.

There were readings by current Christchurch Mayor Fred Neale and the Reverend Canon Hugh Williams – vicar of Christchurch from 1993-2010, along with tributes from former council chief executive Mike Turvey and former Mudeford ward councillor Mike Winfield, and from Mr Spreadbury’s granddaughter Lynne Thomas.

Cllr Neale said: “Although there are some differences from a civic funeral as Eric was not in office when he died, it was decided to hold this event to mark his many years of service to the community.

“He was always known as ‘Mr Christchurch’, and the service was very well attended.

“Eric always provided a great example for other councillors to follow.”

Although he was born in London back in 1920, Mr Spreadbury moved to Christchurch as a young man in 1941 to take up a role as a draftsman at the Military Experimental Engineering Establishment.

He soon stood for the council, joining the Conservative Party, although he wasn’t afraid to abandon the party line when he felt strongly that it would not serve the interests of the town.

In 1966, in his first term as mayor, he escorted the Queen during her visit to the town, a memory he long cherished.

Mr Spreadbury, who retired from civic life in 2010, was widely respected for his dedication, which saw him work to promote the borough and support residents at events ranging from Buckingham Palace garden parties to fairy cake contests.

His wife of 69 years, Barbara, predeceased him, and he leaves three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.