Tributes paid to Mike Exton, former Mayor of Stamford and South Kesteven District Council member

Tributes are being paid to former mayor Mike Exton, who has died following a short illness.

The 80-year-old member of Stamford Town Council and South Kesteven District Council devoted much of his life to public service.

Chairman of the South Kesteven District Council, Coun Breda Griffin, said: “As well as being a devoted servant of Stamford and the public, Mike was also a dear friend and we enjoyed working together as each other’s consorts during our time as council chairman.

“Mike was passionate about Stamford, was always willing to help people and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Stamford will be all the poorer for his passing.”

Gloria Johnson, the current Mayor of Stamford, said: "Mike's heart was in Stamford. He cared deeply about the town and its people and he was a well-respected member of the community.

"He will be missed."

South Kesteven District Council is flying civic flags at half mast to mark his passing.

Its leader, Kelham Cooke said Coun Exton was all things a councillor should be.

"He was passionate about public service, always available and willing to help and was a true Stamfordian.

“He was the perfect ambassador and a leading voice for all of the causes he supported, and most recently was one of the first to receive his covid jabs.

"He will be missed by all politicians on all sides of the public spectrum.”

Philip Sagar, chairman of the Stamford Welland branch of the Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association, said: "Mike was a founder member of the branch and served as an officer continuously since its formation in 2003, supporting almost every event and contributing his time and efforts selflessly to raise funds and campaign in elections.

"His passing is a sad loss to the residents of Stamford, the district council and all of his association friends and we offer our condolences to his family at this difficult time. He certainly made his mark on the town and will always be fondly remembered.”

Martin Trollope-Bellew, chairman of the Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association, added that "Mike was an institution in Stamford"

"He could always be relied upon to turn up and offer his help to make any event a success."

Coun Exton was born in Stamford and leaves two sons and his grandchildren.

He was a passionate supporter of opening up the organ donor register, having received two kidney transplants himself in the past 35 years.

He enjoyed fishing when he was younger, was a keen player and organiser for ten pin bowling, as well as being involved with the local air cadets.

During his working life he was a retained firefighter and a wedding photographer, also getting involved in sports reporting and photography for the Stamford Mercury.

Coun Exton was a trustee of Browne’s Hospital and a backer of Stamford in Bloom.

In addition to being a South Kesteven councillor for 16 years and chairman between 2008 and 2009, he was Mayor of Stamford (2003-4), a serving Stamford town councillor and a former Lincolnshire county councillor.