Tributes pour in after loss of councillor and community champion ‘Mr Ilfracombe’

People across Ilfracombe have been paying tribute to a man who dedicated more than half his life to public service and the community he loved.

Former mayor and councillor Mike Edmunds passed away on Wednesday, March 18 aged 81 and his loss is felt by many as he was involved with so much in the community, almost until the very end.

He leaves his step-daughter Samantha and step-grandchildren Natasha, Caitlin, Jamie and Lucy, following a difficult year for the family which saw the passing of Mike’s wife Lesley and his step-son Jonathan earlier this year.

Terry Elliott, Ilfracombe councillor and member of the League of Friends of the Tyrrell Hospital, paid tribute to Mike as a friend, fellow councillor and long-time member of the League and its treasurer.

She said: “He cared deeply about the town, its people and its services and he went the extra mile to help anyone and everyone in whatever way he could. He dedicated 40 years to public service and showed up at every event to represent Ilfracombe, even when he was poorly.

“He was ‘Mr Ilfracombe’ and a kind and generous man, especially with his time. He had great support from his late wife Lesley who sadly died at New Year. They will both be sadly missed by so many.”

A funeral date for Mike Edmunds will be announced in due course.

Above: Mike Edmunds, front row second left, pictured with the full council during his earlier days as a member of Ilfracombe Town Council. Credit: ITC

Mike was elected to the then North Devon District Council in 1979, representing the Ilfracombe East ward. He served as vice chair of the council between 1990 and 1992, rising to chairman between 1992 and 1994.

He also served as a long-standing Ilfracombe town councillor until 2019 and the town’s county councillor from 2013 to 2017.

Above: Mike Edmunds also served as Mayor of Ilfracombe during a career that saw him become a district and county councillor as well as freeman of the town and an honorary alderman. Credit: ITC

A statement on behalf of North Devon Council said: “Mike was ever dependable in the 40 years he served as a district councillor and worked tirelessly to represent and support Ilfracombe and its residents.

“He was appointed as an honorary alderman of North Devon Council in 2019, shortly after he retired as a district councillor, for his incredible work in serving the council and the community. His dedication continued to shine through in retirement as a regular attendee at council meetings.

“He will be sadly missed.”

Mike’s step-daughter Samantha related how he moved to Ilfracombe at the age of 11 with his parents and his older sister Jenny.

She said: “At 15, he left school to begin an apprenticeship in physics and engineering, later returning to Devon to teach physics at a local school. He subsequently joined his father in running the family garage in Hele Bay and later ran a garden shop in Ilfracombe.

“Away from his council and community involvement, Mike was a private, kind and unassuming man.”

In a joint tribute, his step-grandchildren Lucy and Jamie said he was “one of the kindest and most caring people you could ever meet”.

They added: “He was always there whenever anyone needed him, no matter how big or small the problem was. All our lives we’ve known Mike to be busy doing something, usually out in the garden or fixing lawn mowers and strimmers.

“He loved his plants and flowers and he always took pride in making sure his garden looked neat and tidy. In the summer, he loved nothing more than sitting out on the patio with his family, enjoying the sunshine and good company.

“Mike was a devoted husband to Lesley, who we sadly lost earlier this year and the love he had for her was clear for everyone to see. He was also a caring and supportive stepfather and step-grandad to Lesley’s two children and four grandchildren, always treating them with kindness and patience.

“This year had been an incredibly difficult and challenging one for Mike, especially after also losing his stepson Jonathan earlier this year, a loss that he faced with great strength and resilience.

“Despite everything he had been through, Mike always managed to keep a smile on his face whenever we went to see him. He loved talking about the good old days, especially when he had the garage at Hele and later when he ran his garden shop. You could see how proud he was of the life he had built and the memories he had made along the way.

“Mike will always be remembered as someone who worked hard, cared deeply for his family and found joy in the simple things in life - his garden, his tools, his stories and the people he loved.

“He meant so much to all of us and he will never be forgotten.”

Above: Mike Edmunds always managed a smile. Pictured here with Gloria Satchwell and Terry Elliott of the hospital League of Friends during a recent visit. Credit: Tyrrell LoF

Current and former members of Ilfracombe Town Council have also been adding their own tributes to Mike. The current mayor and chairman of the council, May Fay, said: “The name Mike Edmunds is synonymous with Ilfracombe. Mike was a councillor, mayor, freeman, alderman and much more. President of Ilfracombe FC, treasurer of League of Friends and a key figure in most clubs in the town.

“Mike's life had a positive impact on nearly every aspect of this wonderful town and his memory will live on.”

Freeman Rodney Donovan added: “Obviously his history as a town, district and county councillor is well known but Mike was a ‘character’ around the town and involved with so many organisations, the Friends of the Tyrrell Hospital, the football club, the table tennis club, Ilfracombe in Bloom and many more.”

Deputy mayor June Williams said: “Mike was a strong advocate for Ilfracombe, a town he knew and loved. I will never forget his wisdom and how hard he fought for our residents.

“He was a true force of nature and I can remember him attending meetings despite his dwindling health. As well as North Devon full council when his health permitted.”

Terry Elliott concluded: “Deeply rooted in the town, he supported many local groups and charities and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help good causes.

“Mike quietly got on with things without fuss, simply getting things done. I was proud to call him my friend and will miss his wisdom and guidance.”