Michael Welbank: Hampstead Heath stalwart passes away aged 90
Michael Welbank at Pitts Arch in Pitts garden on Hampstead Heath. Picture: Nigel Sutton - Credit: Nigel Sutton
Michael Welbank MBE, former chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath Management Committee died last week aged 90.
An architect and town planner who worked around the world, Michael loved the Heath and straddled an oft-difficult divide as both a representative of the CoLC and a much-liked figure on the Heath and Hampstead Society’s committee.
Described as “passionate about Hampstead Heath” by his son William, Michael was a Highgate schoolboy and lived much of his life in South Hill Park.
Michael, whose death was announced on September 15 dived into civic life after the death of his wife in 2002, and was part of the CoLC’s Heath committee for a decade – including during the controversial Ponds project at which time he was its chair.
He was made an MBE in 2013 and is survived by three children – Julian, William and Katherine.
You may also want to watch:
A longer obituary will appear in next week’s Ham&High, if you would like to contribute a tribute, contact Sam Volpe on Sam.Volpe@Archant.co.uk
Most Read
- 1 Guilty: Kentish Town man convicted of murdering Jack Ampadu
- 2 Man, 26, stabbed in Camden 'fight'
- 3 David Amess murder: Met searches London addresses
- 4 'Heart of the community': Muswell Hill Library celebrates 90 years
- 5 West Hampstead Women's Institute celebrates 10-year milestone
- 6 Tributes paid to Primrose Hill mother-of-four as fundraiser launched
- 7 Man charged with murder of Nicole Hurley in Primrose Hill
- 8 Coldplay and Ed Sheeran to perform at Earthshot Prize ceremony at Ally Pally
- 9 Gay music hall icon Fred Barnes to be honoured with Maida Vale plaque
- 10 Muswell Hill man captures picture of car bursting into flames in high street
