FAMILY and friends have been paying tribute to Malvern resident Dudley Brook, who died on Saturday, aged 93.

Mr Brook was a long-time member of Malvern Civic Society, a board member of Malvern Hills Conservators, and was well known for his love of the town and the hills, and for his artistic skills.

Born in Bangor, Northern Ireland, he worked for a while as a farmer in Gloucestershire, before becoming a teacher at Bredon School and later at a remand home at Welland, near Malvern.

He and his family lived in Ledbury for a while, where his wife Valerie taught at the old primary school, and was as well-known there as in Malvern.

After retiring, he set up a printing business first at Link Top and then in the town centre, and the was also very well known for his popular guided tours of the town.

His son, Keith Brook, said: "One of the things about him was that no-one had a bad word to say about him. He had a great many friends, including some from the USA, from when he spent an exchange year there, and with whom he kept in touch."

Clive Hooper, chairman of Malvern Civic Society said: "Dudley was our president from 2011 to 2016, when he became president emeritus. Being our society’s president was a role which I know he cherished, and it was one which he discharged with tremendous success, as has been evidenced by the many tributes which have been coming in since his death was reported.

"Dudley had been a hugely committed member of the society over many years and had served with great distinction. He was our chairman for a time, helping to steer the society through a difficult period. He was always a mine of information about the town and its history, and of course a knowledgeable and enthusiastic advocate for the Malvern Hills, Malvern’s trees, and its landscapes and ecology.

"His skills as an artist, too, have been used for the benefit of the society: he generously allowed us to use some of his drawings for publication, and we are shortly to print a greetings card featuring one of his sketches.

"Dudley always saw the best in people, having great kindness and generosity of spirit, coupled often with an impish sense of humour, which made him all the more endearing. He was very well known in the town, out and about on most days showing a remarkable sprightliness for his considerable age, and happy to stop and talk in his friendly and self-effacing manner. He was much loved by all who knew him.

"So many organisations and individuals will forever be greatly in Dudley’s debt. He has a proud place in Malvern Civic Society’s history and his contributions to the work of the Society will be long remembered.

"Malvern has indeed been lucky to have had such a figure, and he has been an example to us all. It has been a great privilege for me to have known Dudley and to count him as my friend. He will be sadly missed."

Our thoughts and prayers are with his twin sons and daughter and all the family at this sad time."

A celebration of his life will be held at Great Malvern Priory on Thursday, April 19, at 2pm.