Tributes to Bridgnorth man 'who loved town'
Tributes have been paid to an ex-Mayor and district councillor who has died aged 78.
Norman Cottrell, a man described as having Bridgnorth running through his veins, died last Thursday.
He was born in Bridgnorth and lived all his life in the town.
His sister, Sylvia Cottrell, 70, also lives in Bridgnorth and said her brother's passing had been a shock.
She said: "He was wonderful brother and was always there for me.
"Bridgnorth was his absolute passion, he served as a town councillor for 13 years, a district councillor and also as mayor.
"When his wife Shirley passed away in 2002, the money from her estate was used towards the purchase of an inshore lifeboat."
Former town councillor Adrian Tacchi said he was devastated when he heard his friend had passed away.
Mr Tacchi became good friends with Mr Cottrell in the mid-1990s, when they started working together on erecting the Christmas lights in town.
He said: "We got on well for several reasons, one being we both had a passion for electronics and electrical engineering. Norman loved Bridgnorth and always did his best for the residents, even if that meant putting his hand in his own pocket to get projects moving.
"He would challenge things he thought were wrong, but never bore any malice towards anyone. He hadn't got a bad bone in his body, I loved him to bits and I will miss him greatly."
Mr Cottrell trained as an electronics engineer and then worked for RGD and Decca, before setting up his own television shop, Cottrell and Hall, in Bridge Street, Low Town. He was a passionate advocate of the Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce.
Chairman Steven Robbins, said he always gave selflessly of his time.
Mr Robbins said: "Norman served as chairman of the chamber for decades before becoming president, a position he held for as long as I can remember.
"He was genuinely delighted to see the growth of the chamber in the town and was honoured with life membership early this year.
"Norman has been extremely supportive to me in my role, for which I will always be grateful, and I will miss his wise words."
Dr Malvern Tipping, owner of the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway, said he was shocked and saddened to learn of Mr Cottrell's passing.
"He did sometimes court controversy, but he was fiercely independent and was proud to have been instrumental in having founded an independent grouping on the former district council," he said.
"He was also very supportive of the railway and interested in its affairs."
Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, said Mr Cottrell was a good friend.
He added: "Norman was a delightful man, completely committed in recent years to serving Bridgnorth through his work on the town council and as mayor."
