After becoming a town councillor in 1999, Trevor Holmes soon earned himself a reputation as a redoubtable campaigner for the elderly, notably through his work for the Butterfield Day Care Centre in North Road and also for his high profile work to protect senior citizens from unwanted callers through the Lincolnshire Doorstep Crime Initiative.

He also spoke out against moves to end travel tokens for the elderly, particularly during the election campaign of 2003 when he contested the Bourne West Ward for a seat on South Kesteven District Council and although unsuccessful on that occasion, he was returned in 2007.

Trevor Holmes was born and educated at Rotherham and left school to train as an analytical chemist with the intention of joining one of the town’s major industries which included coal, steel, brass and glass, but after a short spell decided that this was not what he wanted and left for London where he became a student nurse at a hospital on the outskirts of the city. This occupation did not suit either and so he returned to Rotherham and took a job with a grocery and provisions merchants, soon becoming a warehouse manager and subsequently moving to Worksop, Nottinghamshire, to manage a supermarket.

While working there he was offered a job by Cadburys to become one of their regional representatives and after accepting, made his home in Bourne in 1975 with his wife Pamela who he had known since they were in their teens. Their involvement in community work began almost immediately when Pam offered her services to the Girl Guide movement, an association that was to last for more than 30 years and earn her a silver and diamond brooch in recognition.

After retirement in 1992, Trevor worked for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and wishing to help change things for the better successfully sought a seat on Bourne Town Council representing the West Ward in 1999. He served two terms as Mayor of Bourne, in 2003-04 and again in 2008-09 while in 2007 he was elected as an independent member of South Kesteven District Council for the Bourne West ward, subsequently serving on the development control committee.

Unfortunately, he lost his seat on South Kesteven District Council in May 2011, ironically to another independent candidate, Helen Powell. He also gave up his seat on Bourne Town Council when he declined to stand for the local government elections in May 2015.

He was also involved with local government affairs as a member of the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils, serving for a spell as both vice-chairman and chairman and he also became a trustee of Bourne United Charities in 2007, subsequently becoming chairman. He was also involved with the Elsea Park Community Trust and was a governor of Bourne Academy until 2011.

But his work with the elderly at the Butterfield Centre was always closest to his heart, serving first on the board of trustees but he relinquished that post to become more active as a member of the staff with special responsibilities for the organisation’s financial affairs. “It is a great pleasure”, he said, “to see our more mature citizens from the town and district enjoying a better life through the work of this organisation.”

His other interests included the Bourne Petanque Club which operated from a court at the corner of the Abbey Lawn where his wife was chairman, and with the Heart Support Group while they also found time for their hobby of photography, gardening, caravanning and enjoying their role as proud grandparents.

Trevor Holmes died on Saturday 30th January 2016 at his home in Poplar Crescent, Bourne. He was 75. At their meeting the following Tuesday, members held a one minute silence in his memory and to remember the work he had done for the authority. A statement issued afterwards said: "Trevor was a colourful character and ensured that his feelings on matters close to his heart were clearly spelled out to his fellow council members. He was only interested in  ensuring that the residents of Bourne got the best deal that was available, He was a talented and deeply conscientious man with an honest and gentle spirit, an excellent councillor with a depth of knowledge and experience that will be sorely missed."

His funeral was held at the Abbey Church on Friday 12th February 2016.

REVISED FEBRUARY 2016

NOTE: Acknowledgments to Interview of the Month by Judy Smith published
in the Abbey Church parish magazine, August 2010.

See also

Butterfield Day Care Centre     Lincolnshire Doorstep Crime Initiative