Bristol Hannover Council

** Alderman Michael Withers, former vice-president of Bristol-Hannover Council, passed away recently
at the age of 93.

Michael was born in Bath and went to school there, became a member of the Young Conservatives, was given the Freedom of the City of Bath, and later became a Conservative city councillor in Bristol. He always supported the arts in Bristol, became Chair of the Arts and Leisure Committee and was a member of Bristol Savages and Rotary.

He was also always concerned to work to ensure good relations between Britain and Germany, becoming an early member of Bristol-Hannover Council, and was later a founder member of Bristol Anglo-German Society.

Michael (pictured) served for some years on the committee of the London-based British-German Association and was accorded the Order of Merit (Verdienstkreuz).

In recent years he and his wife Gill lived in the St Monica’s residential village at Sandford Station, where Gill continues to reside, and my husband Tony and I were pleased to lunch with them in November 2023. He leaves a son Julian, daughter Helen, and four grandchildren.

                                                                                                                                   ANN KENNARD

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