Wisbech Town Council remembers those who died in 2024

Councillors and members of the public followed a decade-long tradition on Monday night to remember those who have died in the past year.

Eleven years ago Wisbech Town Council agreed to hold a minute’s silence at their final meeting of the year to remember those not just from the town but more famous names from across the world.

On Monday night at the council’s last meeting before the new year, Cllr Steve Tierney read an extensive list of celebrities, scientists, sports stars, musicians, politicians, and even famous animals.

He also read the names of local people whose families had asked for them to be included.

These were: Stuart Smith, Michael Bedford, Steve Williams, Kathleen Brennan, Geoff Harvey, and former town mayor Avis Gilliatt.

The list of the more famous included the likes of James Earl Jones – the voice of Darth Vader, Shelley Duvall, Donald Sutherland, Liam Payne, David Soul, Colin Gibb of Black Lace, Quincy Jones, Geoff Capes, David Wilkie, politicians Alex Salmond and John Prescott, Phil Donahue – broadcaster, and British archaeologist Colin Renfrew.

Among the famous animals who died in 2024 was Boris the chimpanzee from Chester Zoo who died at the age of 58.

Cllr Tierney said: “This is not a complete or exhaustive list and for any I have missed it was certainly not intentional and our minute’s silence includes those un-named as well as those named.

“We will be standing in silence for any other local people who have passed away during the year.

“Remembering that each and every individual who is no longer with us, whether they died through natural causes or other wise, is a loss for us all.”