Reg Braddon R.I.P.

I have just learned of the sad death of Reginald Holyoak Braddon, invariably known as "Reg," who was chief executive of the Council of the City and District of St Albans for more than ten years finishing in 1989. His final two years coincided with my first two years as a very young member of that council in my twenties.

Reg was head of the permanent organisation of the council during a period of great change in local government, and implemented the consolidation of council services under one roof. (That included the move of the depot out of the old Victoria Road HQ, the front door of which was, unbeknown to most of them, a familiar sight to millions of TV viewers as the prison door which slammed shut in the title sequence of the Ronnie Barker comedy, "Porridge.")

He had a formidable presence, matched by an equally formidable intellect and a sense of humour which was all the more powerful when he did allow it to show for the fact that much of the time he kept it carefully hidden. Reg was very widely respected throughout the City and District.

The usual obit rules apply to comments on this post - nihil nisi bonum, please.

My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Rest in Peace.


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