Stuart Exell

Stuart in a School Assembly – Presentation of Jim Grogan Award

The Centurion

It is with deep regret that we have to inform you of the death at the end of October of the former Chairman of Tarvin Community Woodland Trust, Stuart Exell. Stuart had been ill for some considerable period of time and, although he bore his problems with fortitude and continued to do as much as he could until quite recently, he was obliged to resign as both Chairman and Trustee during the Summer.

In the ten years Stuart has been our Chairman, he has been instrumental in piloting the Trust through many of the more significant events of its brief history. He led the funding negotiations and subsequent improvement work to the pathways, he was the central figure in all of the negotiations with Taylor Wimpey that resulted in our acquisition of the Saxon Heath section of the woodland, he bargained with CWaC over the sale of the original woodland to the Trust and he was the prime mover in the conversion of the Trust into a Company Limited by Guarantee. His leadership, business acumen and profound good sense were central to the functioning of the Trust but his greatest satisfaction came from being a part of the team of volunteers working in the woodland, where the friendships, the camaraderie and especially the craic gave him huge enjoyment. He was immensely proud of what the Trust has been able to achieve and, in particular, the award of the Green Flag – the quality mark for public open spaces – on twelve successive occasions.

As a mark of their respect for him, the Trustees had decided to make Stuart the first Honorary Trustee of Tarvin woodland. It is to be regretted that the opportunity to make a suitable presentation did not occur but Stuart was aware of our intentions and I hope that he would have been pleased.

That Tarvin Woodland is as extensive and as successful as it is and that it belongs entirely to the local community is thanks in no small measure to the involvement and efforts of Stuart Exell. Thank you, Stuart. The entire village owes you a huge debt of gratitude.

Stuart’s funeral will be held at Vale Royal Crematorium, Shurlach Lane, Davenham, Northwich, CW9 8RP at 2.00pm on Friday, 5th November 2021.