Good-hearted councillor represented his electorate with vigour

A MAN described as 'the greatest stalwart of Liberalism in Herefordshire' who played a pivotal role in shaping his city and county for more than 30 years has died.

Councillor, the Reverend David Short, who was aged 60, was diagnosed with cancer last June. He died at his home last weekend.

He fought valiantly to carry on with his council and charity work and continued to conduct services at the Lady Southampton Chapel at Kenchester, where he lived at Chapel House.

The funeral service for Mr Short, who was married to Mary and had two daughters, Isla and Fiona, will take place at St Peter's Church, Hereford, at noon on Saturday.

A leading Liberal Democrat, Mr Short was a member of Herefordshire Council but his long and distinguished career began in 1971 when he was elected to Hereford City Council.

As well as a city councillor, where for some years he was chairman of the finance and policy committee, he served on Hereford and Worcester County Council until its demise in 1997.

He was elected to the new Herefordshire Council, representing the St Nicholas ward in the city. He was a former cabinet member for housing and oversaw the transition of the Hereford housing stock.

Mr Short was a passionate supporter of Herefordshire and mourned when the county was merged with Worcestershire. But he rejoiced when the union was dissolved and many have credited him with much of the success in the county regaining its own identity.

He was a chairman of Hereford and Worcester Combined Fire Authority and it was on a trip to Europe earlier this year to vet equipment that symptoms of his illness first manifested themselves.

Mr Short was a natural politician and Hereford MP Paul Keetch described him as the 'the greatest stalwart of Liberalism in Herefordshire'.

Voluntary work

"It is no exaggeration to say that without the work David had done in the 20 years before 1997 we would never have won this Parliamentary seat,'' said Mr Keetch.

Mr Short tried three times for Parliament, contesting seats in South Gloucestershire on two occasions and missing by a whisker, and once in Leominster where he failed to overturn a 14,000 majority held by Peter Temple-Morris.

He was a devout Christian and in recent years became a Pastor, and then the Rev. David Short.

He has held many positions in statutory and voluntary bodies in Herefordshire and was a non-executive director of Herefordshire Hospital Trust until earlier this year.

He gave much of his time to helping the disadvantaged and was a supporter of Gideon House in Holme Lacy Road a centre for people with 'life controlling problems' such as drug and alcohol abuse.

He was also a trustee of Victory Outreach UK which provides Christian homes for young people in need.

Mr Short was Mayor of Hereford in 1978 and in 1988 he was awarded the MBE for political and public services.

Friend and colleague, Councillor Terry James, said: "He was always out to help the underdog. He cared."

Coun James described how Mr Short had faced up to his illness: "Always bravely. He was never one to complain, was always positive and there was never a moment of self pity."

Tributes have come from Herefordshire Council leader Roger Phillips who said Mr Short was committed to local government and the community.

"We will miss his shrewd scrutiny and his political personality in the council chamber."

Council chairman Councillor Peter Harling, said: "He will be remembered with affection as an engaging, humorous and often passionate debater."

Labour councillor Chris Chappell described Mr Short as being respected across the political divide.

Friend and colleague, Councillor John Newman said: "He persuaded me to become a councillor 21 years ago and he helped me become both a Mayor, and Freeman of the City of Hereford. I have a lot to thank him for."