Ferndown mourns death of its mayor

On the death of the Mayor of Ferndown, the town clerk, Vanessa Ricketts, said, “This is a sad day for Ferndown. Steve served his town and council for 10 years with huge dedication and commitment. He leaves a great legacy and Ferndown will miss him dearly. Despite illness he continued his mayoral duties for as long as he could with huge strength and determination. On behalf of the Council and its staff, I extend my very deepest condolences to his wife, Cllr Cathy Lugg, and their children.”

Cathy Lugg said, “The family have been deeply touched by the love and support Steve received before he passed away. Steve was so proud of Ferndown and its community, and campaigned tirelessly for its causes. He had a highly developed sense of duty and had a special skill at motivating those around him to do more for the community. He was a loving family man and we will miss him dearly”.

Steve was the 36th Town Mayor and First Citizen of Ferndown, elected on 21 May 2018 for the 2018-2019 municipal year. He was elected as a town councillor in October 2008, and over the last 10 years had been deputy mayor three times. He was also a district councillor from 2011, being East Dorset District Council’s chairman in 2015/16, and was elected to Dorset County Council in September 2016.

Steve grew up in Sherborne, Dorset before joining the Household Cavalry at 16. After leaving the army at 40, his first job was running the Adult and Community budget at Bournemouth Social Services. He became chief executive of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils in 2005. He was also a member of the Royal Household as a Yeoman of the Guard, of the Queen’s Bodyguard.

Steve was fully involved in the local community and was a great advocate for Ferndown. Previously he had been chairman of East Dorset Mencap, a school governor at Ferndown Upper School, a trustee at the Barrington Centre, and up until his death, president of the Ferndown Royal British Legion. Steve also had a great passion for live music. He was the founder of Live: Ferndown, which showcased the very best of local music talent.

The flag will be flying at half-mast at Ferndown Town Council’s offices at the Barrington Centre and a public book of condolence will be set up in the Town Council’s reception area and will be given to Steve’s family.

Town councillors and council staff will lower the Union Flag outside the council offices at the Barrington Centre to half mast at 1pm today in silent tribute to Cllr Lugg.

Post updated 1 August 2018

The funeral of the Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Steve Lugg will take place on Friday, 17 August 2018 at St Mary’s Church in Ferndown. It will be an official civic and military funeral which the town council is organising alongside his family. Mourners are asked to arrive from 12 noon. The service will start at 1pm. The church car park will only be available to disabled badge holders and the funeral cortege. With space inside the church limited, the service will also be broadcast in the church hall. Church Road will be closed between Peter Grant Way and St Mary’s Church from 12.15pm to 12.30pm for the civic funeral procession. Those wishing to attend the funeral service and refreshments afterwards at the Royal British Legion in Church Road, should contact the mayor’s PA on 01202 892249 or email secretary@ferndown.gov.uk. Dress code is formal.

No flowers. Donations can made to Macmillan Caring Locally or Royal British Legion Ferndown c/o A E Jolliffe & Son, 17 Victoria Road, Ferndown, BH22 9HT, 01202 872050.