Funeral for "kind and compassionate" politician

Adam Hewitt • Published 18 Feb 2010 08:00 0 Comments

HUNDREDS of mourners gathered to say goodbye to Chris Edmunds yesterday (Wednesday).

The funeral for the 46-year-old leader of Earley Town Council was held at St Peter's Church, Earley, where friends and family spoke of his kindness, patience and great gusto for life.

His widow, Jane, was too upset to speak but Chris' father-in-law, Derek Mucklow, said: "We've had so many letters and expressions of tribute to Chris, for which we are so thankful. He showed such understanding and could always empathise with people."

Chris' younger sister Victoria, in a tribute read by friend and fellow councillor David Chopping, spoke of their fantastic childhood and how much she would miss her older brother. Councillor Edmunds, who also sat on Wokingham Borough Council's executive, was a committed Christian, former chorister and keen sportsman.

Friend Matt Deegan spoke of how even his political opponents had great respect for him and how he would always get his point across eloquently and forcefully.

Among the mourners were Wokingham Borough Mayor Barrie Patman,

council leader David Lee, Reading East MP Rob Wilson, members of Maiden Erlegh Residents' Association, which Chris once chaired, and colleagues from Axa Insurance in London where he worked. He leaves a widow, Jane, and their children Christopher, Jessica and Oliver.

**FOR a full funeral report, see next week's Chronicle.

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