Former Lord Mayor David Gemmell to be honoured with civic funeral

HUGELY RESPECTED: David Gemmell OBE, who was Lord Mayor of Hull between 2010 and 2011

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Former Lord Mayor of Hull David Gemmell OBE is to be honoured with a civic funeral next week.

Mr Gemmell, an Honorary Alderman of Hull, died in March aged 83.

The service will take place at Hull Minster on Friday, May 10 at 10am, where all are welcome.

A civic procession will take place beforehand, travelling from the Guildhall to the Minster, which will be led by the current Lord Mayor, Councillor Kalvin Neal.

Honorary Alderman Gemmell served as a city councillor for 26 years, and was Lord Mayor between 2010 and 2011.

His achievements included opening Hull History Centre in 2010, and serving on its board for four years.

Among his other appointments, he also served on the boards of Hull Truck Theatre and the Humber Bridge Board.

He will best remembered, however, for helping to create award-winning visitor attraction The Deep. He was due to retire as chairman of The Deep this summer having held the position since the venue opened in 2002.

Honorary Alderman Gemmell was awarded an OBE in 2005 for services to tourism and received the honour at Buckingham Palace.