Tributes to Colchester community champion Kevin Starling

Mr Starling was a leading figure in two campaigns, about 20 years apart, to save Alderman Blaxill Secondary School from closure.

Just a month before his death in St Helena Hospice, he had been pursuing funding for the restoration of Shrub End war memorial.

Mr Starling, 68, knew his deteriorating health meant he would not enjoy another Christmas, but it was his hope to see the war memorial restored.

While this did not happen, it is his family’s cherished wish this is achieved as soon as possible.

Mr Starling was born in Alresford in October 1955. He met wife Sue at his sister’s 21st birthday party. They were married in 1976 and for two years rented a flat in Magdalen Street but for the next 45 years lived on the Shrub End Estate.

They lived in Somerset Close for two years before moving to Eldred Avenue following the birth of son Kirk in 1980.

In addition to his wife and son, he leaves granddaughter Kimberley, aged 16.

Mr Starling was a Liberal Democrat councillor on Colchester Council from 1987-1994. His majority of 790 votes at one election remains a record for Shrub End ward.

In the days following his death, the Facebook Page of the Shrub End Residents’ Association – which he had founded – attracted more than 1,300 views, with many messages of condolence and appreciation.

One said: “The whole estate will miss him and all the hard work he put in.”

Another said: “He was genuinely such a lovely person. His dedication to the community was unmatched.”

A third said: “Kevin was a great asset to the community and he will be missed by so many.”

Last October, the Gazette Comment praised Mr Starling for his “impassioned efforts” to get Shrub End war memorial restored, commenting on his “tireless campaign”.

In an earlier Comment, in June, he was described as “a community champion who works so hard for other people”.

Taking into account fund-raising, donations and grants for the War Memorial restoration, a further £17,000 is needed towards the cost of £46,000 for which quotes to do the work were received by Mr Starling a few weeks ago.

While the war memorial restoration was his final campaign, it is the two to save Alderman Blaxill which were the ones that galvanised the people of Shrub End.

His wife and son had both attended the school. The first battle was successful when, in 1992, the closure threat was lifted.

However, some 20 years later the school faced the axe again. While the campaign ultimately failed – the school eventually closed in 2014 – the strength of the campaign proved that a secondary school at Shrub End would be necessary in a few years.

Alderman Blaxill School was demolished, but the new Paxman Academy was built on the site.

Mr Starling’s community activities at Shrub End included being a governor of Kings Ford infant and junior schools from 1987 to 1993, serving as chairman for several years.

He formed the Shrub End Residents’ Association and two old people’s clubs on the estate. The first was Alderman Blaxill Community, meeting firstly at the school then at a scout hut, and the second was Colchester United Pensioners Social.

On leaving school Mr Starling had become a qualified motor vehicle technician, working on ambulances and fire appliances. He later left to work in motor parts sales.

Declining health meant he had to give up physical work when he was aged 40, and for two years he worked as an office administrator for Colchester United FC and running the Soccer Kids Club.

In 2009 he had a liver transplant, for which he was grateful for giving him another 14 years of life. Sadly, following other bouts of ill-health over the years, he suffered kidney failure in January.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 13, at 2.30pm at the Co-operative Chapel, Wimpole Road.

Donations to the Shrub End War Memorial can be made to Shrub End Residents’ Association – Bank Code 30-92-16, Account Number 603 88 460 – or by cheque and posted to 50 Eldred Avenue, Colchester CO2 9AR.

Alternatively, search for 'gofundme shrub end war memorial' online.