Sad passing of Honorary Alderman Eddie Waller

Tribute

Paying tribute to Honorary Alderman Waller, Council Leader, Cllr Victor Broad, said: "I am very saddened by the news of Eddie Waller’s passing.

"Eddie was highly respected and will be remembered for his many achievements and years’ of devoted service to the Council, the borough and its residents, particularly those in the Redhill area that he served during his time on the Council. 

“Eddie and his late wife Mary were one of the best known couples in the borough who passionately served the Borough of Reigate, then Reigate and Banstead, for more than 50 years between them. 

“He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."

Eminent service to the borough

Mr Waller, together with his wife, was made an Honorary Alderman by the Council in February 2002 for his eminent services to the borough. 

Mr Waller served as a Labour councillor from 1970 until 1998 during which he was Mayor from 1992-1993 and Deputy Mayor in 1984-85.

As councillor, Mr Waller served on several committees and was Chairman of the Reigate Constituency Labour Party and the Secretary of the Labour Group of councillors. 

He was a governor at Pine End GLC School in Reigate and later Chairman of Governors of St John's School, Redhill. He was also a member of Redhill's first Town Centre Committee.

Mr and Mrs Waller’s love of the arts saw them campaign to get the Harlequin Theatre built in Redhill in the 1980s. In April 2010, following Mrs Waller’s death, the Harlequin Cinema was renamed the Waller Cinema in recognition of their unwavering support of the venue.

Among his other notable achievements, Mr Waller raised over £17,000 towards the cost of the restoration of the historic Verrio murals and staircase in Reigate Priory and with his wife, was instrumental in securing improvements to community facilities in Whitebushes. He was also involved in the twinning of the borough with Brunoy in France and Eschweiler in Germany. 

In 2014, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, then Mayor Cllr David Pay paid tribute to Alderman Waller with a tea party in the Mayor’s Parlour in his honour.