Honorary Townsman Brian Ellis

It was with much sadness that the Town Council learned of the passing of Honorary Townsman and Past Town Mayor, Brian Ellis on 7 May.

Brian lived in Harpenden for over 40 years, was elected a Town Councillor in 2011 and served as Town Mayor twice in 2015/16 and in 2019/20.  He retired in 2025 and was made Honorary Townsman earlier this year.  He was also elected a St Albans District Councillor in 2009 and became an Honorary Alderman.

Brian sat on a number of Committees and Working Parties during the many years he served as a Councillor, working tirelessly to serve the Town Council and the local community.  As someone with expertise in housing, he was particularly involved in the Lea Springs and Westfield Road developments.  He also acted as Chair of the Harpenden Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

Apart from his work as a Councillor, Brian had a deep interest in the history of the First World War and was a member of the Hertfordshire Armed Forces Community Covenant Board, as well as completing an MA in First World War Studies at Birmingham in 2010.  He was also a Board Member of four Housing Associations, Chairman of a housing charity and a Justice of the Peace.  

Brian will be remembered with much affection by everyone who knew him; he was a committed Councillor and dedicated advocate of Harpenden.