An outpouring of affection and respect greeted Kevin Westwood at a buffet lunch to mark his retirement as Wells Town Hall manager.
To show their appreciation the city council have renamed one of the biggest rooms in his honour.
The sign was changed on The Westwood Room secretly in the morning before the buffet and unveiled to Kevin’s amazement and delight.
“It was phenomenal that they should name a room in the Town Hall after me,” he said. “They could not have done anything more special for me.”
Cancer has forced him to stand down after 34 years working for the city council.
But Kevin, being Kevin, is still going into the building for a few hours in the morning on a voluntary basis to help when there’s a need, saying: “And I am always available on the phone. It is very hard to let go.
“Working at the Town Hall was not a job, but a way of life. Working there is like being part of a big family. We all help each other. We look after each other and make it all work. That’s what I will miss most.
“My family and everyone at the Town Hall have been super supportive, and I am so grateful.”
Kevin is married to Debbie and their son Alex and his wife Abbie were all at the event with little grandson Lucas.
More than 60 colleagues and residents he has helped gathered in the renamed Westwood Room.
Town Clerk Steve Luck said: “Kevin has given 34 years’ service to the city council and transformed the Town Hall into the modern functioning community building it is today.
“He has been a major member of the Town Hall staff family and has always gone beyond to help people.”
To show support for Kevin and his fight against the illness, three city council staff members took part in a skipping challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Claire Woodland, Sandy Bristow and Dale Bray each completed 100 skips a day, and between them have raised more than £400 for the charity.
Kevin is now planning a fundraising concert with singer Tim Pitman for Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Nurses. “Their nurses were amazing,” he said. “As was the Royal United Hospital in Bath.”
Kevin went to Horrington Primary and the Blue School. His first job was at the former Clares workwear factory behind the Town Hall. Then he worked at the Mendip Hospital in South Horrington before starting work as a caretaker at the Town Hall and taking on more responsibilities before becoming its manager.
He describes himself as the biggest Lego fan in the world and for retirement has acquired a Mini Cooper, saying: “It’s a type of car I have always loved, and I bought it after my diagnosis because that car makes me smile.”
- Article by Philip Welch
Caption – Kevin outside the Westwood Room with city councillors past and present and Town Clerk Steve Luck on the left
Caption – Gathering in the Westwood Room to pay tribute to Kevin
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