Town Turns Out to Say Farewell to a True Gentleman

Cllr Alan ‘Chippy’ Lees BEM

Family, friends and residents of Tamworth filled St Editha’s Church yesterday to say farewell to Alan “Chippy” Lees BEM.

At the start of the service, current and former politicians from across Tamworth’s political divide formed a guard of honour for former Castle ward Cllr “Chippy” Lees who passed away on Monday 23rd February.

St Editha’s Church was filled with both tears and laughter as the tributes to Chippy flowed.  Revd Ray Khan told the packed congregation how Chippy used to sit at the back of the church and say keep the sermons and hymns short, he also Chippy was in the same in council meetings.

Revd Khan said Chippy told him, “If you have nothing to say, don’t say anything.”  He also said Chippy was once sat in a council meeting that was going on and on and he stood up and said, “Mr Mayor, can you please hurry up and end this meeting or I will leave, because my dinner will be cold.”

Revd Khan talked about Chippy’s love for judo and how on one occasion in Tamworth’s Castle grounds, some young people had music blasting away.  Chippy asked them to turn the music down and was greeted with abuse and one young man stood up and said, “What are you going to do about it?” Chippy then used his 4th dan black belt in judo and both the young man and the ghetto blaster ended up in the River Anker.

Revd Khan then said to the congregation, “If Chippy was your sensei, stand up now” and the church was filled with people standing in tribute.

Following the church service, Chippy was laid to rest in Wigginton Road cemetery at a private family service.

Chippy Lees was a true gentleman who was proud to live in Tamworth and represent his neighbours and friends on Tamworth Borough Council and he will be sorely missed.