18 May 2011
We are sad to learn that Maurice Skilton MBE, former Eastbourne Borough Councillor, County Councillor, Leader of the Borough Council, Mayor and Honorary Freeman passed away on 17th May 2011. Our condolences are with Mr Skilton's family.
Biography
Maurice Skilton, a lifelong Liberal, was born in Eastbourne in 1920 and grew up in Royal Sussex Crescent in the Old Town, the part of the town he has represented and championed through his life. He served throughout the Second World War with local TA Regiment, Royal Artillery and was mentioned in dispatches whilst serving with the 8th Army in North Africa. He also worked as a bespoke tailor before his retirement.
It was during a conversation with former councillor Aubrey Vickers - during a suit fitting in the late 1950s - that the idea of becoming a councillor was put to him. After several unsuccessful attempts at the polls, he was first elected a councillor in 1961 for the former County Borough of Eastbourne and served until its abolition in 1974 (the last 10 years as an alderman). He was elected to the newly formed Borough Councillor in 1973 and served until 2006 with just one year break in that time. He was elected as Mayor in 1991/92 and again in 1992/93. He was Deputy Mayor in 1974/75 and again in 1990/91. He also served as Leader of the Council for the 4 years between 1984 and 1988.
Maurice Skilton was an East Sussex county councillor from 1974 to 1977 and from 1985 to 2009. He was Vice Chairman of the County Council in 1996/97 and Chairman in 1998/99 and 1999/2000.
He was awarded the MBE in the 1998 New Year’s Honours’ List for services to the community in East Sussex.
Maurice Skilton, was honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Eastbourne at a special ceremony at the Town Hall on 7 January 2008. The Honour was awarded to recognise the outstanding contribution that he had made to Eastbourne and its community for more than 45 years and serving as a councillor for the Old Town on both the Eastbourne Borough and East Sussex County Councils.
He had a lead role in significant developments and events such as Eastbourne Park, the Annual Horse Show, and the International Children’s Conference, the latter in partnership with UNICEF and first held in 1995 in Eastbourne. He had also worked with many local voluntary and charitable groups including the Old Town Library, Beachy Head Countryside Centre and Open Door.
Town Hall Flag
The Borough Flag on the Town Hall is currently flying at half-mast in remembrance of Mr Skilton.
