Cambridge as a Community Pays Tribute to Mayor Nigel Gawthrope

We carry with us a powerful message from this event today, where we’ve come together to show a strong sense of community and inclusiveness. We remember today a special person who dedicated his life to enriching and supporting our communities and charities in Cambridge, our Mayor, Nigel Gawthrope, who has sadly passed away, so we’ll end with a tribute to him by Cllr Anna Smith.

In memory of Nigel Gawthrope:

Some of the words I shared earlier in today’s ceremony should have been spoken by our much-loved mayor, Nigel Gawthrope. Nigel died tragically and suddenly just a few weeks ago, and I have been asked to give a short tribute on behalf of the city.

Nigel was born in Leeds, and was a lifelong Leeds United fan. But Cambridge was his home for most of his life, and he was clearly so proud to represent that home as a much-loved councillor and mayor. A committed trades unionist, he was father at the chapel at Cambridge University Press from 1980 to 2013, and he was committed to challenging inequality in all its forms. 

 He was someone who never pushed himself forward. I can remember a particular mayoral photo shoot, for the Green Flag Award on Christ’s Pieces, where he was insistent that the grounds staff had centre stage in the picture, because they were the ones who had done all the work. That was typical of him.

Nigel had such a love for life, and was clearly loving being mayor of Cambridge. For many of us, we will remember Nigel joyfully meeting people at civic events, often accompanied by his wife, Jenny. And in particular, those events which he attended by motorbike, such as the parade of bikers he led to the American Cemetery at Madingley for their memorial event.

Our hearts go out to Jenny, to the rest of his family, and to all those who were proud to call him a friend and colleague. Rest in Peace, Nigel.