A tribute to Mark Sugden; an outstanding local councillor.

“I was saddened to hear that Mark Sugden had passed away earlier this week. I knew that he had been struggling with cancer for sometime.

Like many in Claygate, I met Mark at various local events over the years in his roles both as Claygate parish councillor and community volunteer for a number of local organisations.

I got to know him a little better in 2016 when we were campaigning, both on the same side, in the EU referendum.

Subsequently, he and I campaigned against each other for a Claygate Ward seat for EBC. As I recall and in keeping with Mark’s nature, it was a close election and fought on friendly terms. To be clear, although we were political opponents, we were never political enemies.

I would mention that he was the Claygate Parish Council member on the Audit and Standards Committee for 10 years from 2013 to 2023.

In 2021 he was elected as Surrey County Councillor for Hinckley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott division where he continued to serve to the very end.

He did a great deal of volunteering within Claygate and the surrounding areas. As you would expect there have been a number of tributes one from Linda Wells, the chair of Friends of Capelfield Surgery, which I read, said;

‘We were fortunate in having Mark in our community, a stalwart supporter of all local organisations who tirelessly worked for the benefit of Claygate in every way. A great listener who valued everyone equally and made our community a better place. He will be truly missed’

I don’t think I could sum him up any better than that.”

Cllr Mike Rollings