Councillor William Richard German Mayor of Weston Super Mare 1986-87 and Chairman of Woodspring District Council 1990-91
William Richard German
The Man William Richard German (Richard) was born in 1927 in Axbridge, Somerset, son of William Leonard a Motor Engineer, Driver in the Army Service Corps during World War I Special Constable during World War II and Dorothy A nee Wilson. He had one sister, Stella born in 1924.
The 1939 Register shows Richard, still at school and the family living at 102 Newton Road, Weston Super Mare. He later became a Motor Dealer in Weston with a garage in Milton Road, becoming a Member of the Institute of Motor Industry and of the Federation of Small Businesses.
During the second quarter of 1952 aged 25 he married Sheila Maureen Savage in Bridgewater and they lived at 42 Brendan Avenue, Weston Super Mare and later Dorsella Cottage, Strippy Close, Evercreech. They had two children, Patricia A born in late 1952, Anthony C 1955,
At some point Richard was elected on to the Woodspring District Council in the county of Avon, created in 1974 following local government reorganisation. By virtue of this he also became a Charter Trustee of the town, set up to maintain the continuity of a town charter or city charter after a district with the status of a borough or city had been abolished, until such time as a civil parish council or in larger settlements, a town council was established. Duties were limited to ceremonial activities such as the election of a mayor, and various other functions depending upon local customs and laws.
Richard was elected Mayor of Weston-Super Mare for the municipal year of 1986-87 and as Chairman of Woodspring District 1990-91. The county of Avon was abolished in 1996 and Woodspring District Council was renamed North Somerset Council taking on county level functions from the former County Council; having only been in existence for 22 years.
He was a keen letter writer and appeared in the local press several times writing about various political issues of the day.
Richard passed away on 31st May 2010 in Shepton Mallet aged 83 and Sheila on 29th March 2015.
eila on 29th March 2015.
The 1939 Register shows Richard, still at school and the family living at 102 Newton Road, Weston Super Mare. He later became a Motor Dealer in Weston with a garage in Milton Road, becoming a Member of the Institute of Motor Industry and of the Federation of Small Businesses.
During the second quarter of 1952 aged 25 he married Sheila Maureen Savage in Bridgewater and they lived at 42 Brendan Avenue, Weston Super Mare and later Dorsella Cottage, Strippy Close, Evercreech. They had two children, Patricia A born in late 1952, Anthony C 1955,
At some point Richard was elected on to the Woodspring District Council in the county of Avon, created in 1974 following local government reorganisation. By virtue of this he also became a Charter Trustee of the town, set up to maintain the continuity of a town charter or city charter after a district with the status of a borough or city had been abolished, until such time as a civil parish council or in larger settlements, a town council was established. Duties were limited to ceremonial activities such as the election of a mayor, and various other functions depending upon local customs and laws.
Richard was elected Mayor of Weston-Super Mare for the municipal year of 1986-87 and as Chairman of Woodspring District 1990-91. The county of Avon was abolished in 1996 and Woodspring District Council was renamed North Somerset Council taking on county level functions from the former County Council; having only been in existence for 22 years.
He was a keen letter writer and appeared in the local press several times writing about various political issues of the day.
Richard passed away on 31st May 2010 in Shepton Mallet aged 83 and Sheila on 29th March 2015.
eila on 29th March 2015.
Past Chairman of Woodspring District Council Jewel
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Reverse of Past Chairman's Jewel
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Past Charter Trustee Mayors of Weston-Super-Mare.
William Richard German Mayor of Weston-Super-Mare 1986-87.
The Story The Past Chairman’s Jewel awarded to William Richard German was acquired from E-Bay on 16th April 2024 and of interest, because of what it was and the low price it was listed at and fetched.
As it was named W Richard German, it took a little checking on Ancestry until his full name could be found enabling brief details to be pieced together. The Newspaper archives produced a lot of hits with letters Richard had written to the press but nothing was found about his election as Chairman of Woodspring District Council in 1990.
Coincidentally, during June 2025, a Past Chairman’s Consort jewel to a Rennee Haskins, also of WDC was seen on E-Bay. After some deliberation this was acquired as her husband Norman Wilson Haskins had been Chairman during the municipal year of 1977-78 and awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 in that capacity, a sub-theme of this collection.
Enquiries were then made with Weston Super Mare Town Council and a Past Mayor of the town and Councillor, John Crockford-Hawley, who were extremely helpful providing further information on Haskins, including a list of the Past Mayors of Weston, which included the name Richard German, Mayor in 1986-87.
Richard had been Mayor during the period following the Borough Council when Weston had Charter Trustees. Cllr Crockford-Hawley was again very helpful sending a photograph of the Past Mayors Roll of Honour and the Mayoral Portrait of William Richard German, together with some additional biographical details. This also enabled his portrait as Chairman of Woodspring district to be acquired from the South West Heritage Trust.
This allowed a hitherto basic biography to be expanded and include the much sought after photographs of the ‘Man Behind his Medal’ and remembering Richard German.
As it was named W Richard German, it took a little checking on Ancestry until his full name could be found enabling brief details to be pieced together. The Newspaper archives produced a lot of hits with letters Richard had written to the press but nothing was found about his election as Chairman of Woodspring District Council in 1990.
Coincidentally, during June 2025, a Past Chairman’s Consort jewel to a Rennee Haskins, also of WDC was seen on E-Bay. After some deliberation this was acquired as her husband Norman Wilson Haskins had been Chairman during the municipal year of 1977-78 and awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 in that capacity, a sub-theme of this collection.
Enquiries were then made with Weston Super Mare Town Council and a Past Mayor of the town and Councillor, John Crockford-Hawley, who were extremely helpful providing further information on Haskins, including a list of the Past Mayors of Weston, which included the name Richard German, Mayor in 1986-87.
Richard had been Mayor during the period following the Borough Council when Weston had Charter Trustees. Cllr Crockford-Hawley was again very helpful sending a photograph of the Past Mayors Roll of Honour and the Mayoral Portrait of William Richard German, together with some additional biographical details. This also enabled his portrait as Chairman of Woodspring district to be acquired from the South West Heritage Trust.
This allowed a hitherto basic biography to be expanded and include the much sought after photographs of the ‘Man Behind his Medal’ and remembering Richard German.
Woodspring District Council Wall Plaque.
With thanks to Weston-Super-Mare Town Council, South West Heitage Trust and Councillor David Crockford-Hawley for their invaluable assistance.
Medal Details:
- Past Chairman of Woodspring District Council Jewel: W. RICHARD GERMAN 1990-91
This page last updated 18 Oct 25
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