Brian White, who will be sadly missed. Image from Mark White’s appeal page on JustGiving.

I was contacted today by good friend of the blog Susan Forster who has some tragic news, and asked me if I’d share it with readers – sadly, well known local Brian White who helped amongst other things with Brownhills Canalside Festival over the years, has passed away after suffering cancer.

My sincere condolences go out to Brian’s family and friends, and I’m sure in that I speak for all readers of the blog.

Susan said:

I write to let you know of the sad passing of Brian White (Bill to some), a local man who loved to watch the local footie teams and huge supporter of the canals, helping out where he could at the Brownhills Canal Festivals an avid Geocacher and a very proud family man.

Sadly Brian lost his fight with cancer on 13th February 2018.

The funeral will be at 3.30 pm on Friday 2nd March 2018 at Fradley Crematorium, Fradley Ln, Fradley, Lichfield, WS13 8GA. We will then head to the upstairs room at Darnford Moors Golf Club, Darnford Lane, Lichfield, WS14 9JG, arriving somewhere between 4.30pm and 5.00pm for drinks and a buffet.

We want the day to be a celebration of his life, so with this in mind we are suggesting that black is not necessary, please feel free to wear colour, which we will be doing so ourselves. We are only having flowers from the direct family, but Brian was a great believer in the Midlands Air Ambulance and would have welcomed any donations in support of this.

For anyone who would like to make a contribution, this can be done on the day, direct with the funeral directors, John Short, High Street, Chasetown or via the Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/billnwen.

If you cannot make the funeral but would like to join everyone after for food and drinks, please come along to the upstairs room at the Darnford Moors Golf Club, where you will be very welcome and we can remember Brian together.

The family need to give a number for catering, so would be grateful if you could please private message us at this link [Facebook] as to whether you will be joining us.

Thanks again everyone for your support.