MICHAEL McLellan, former chief architect of Waverley Borough Council and an active member of the Farnham community, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2016, at the age of 91.

Born on March 10, 1925, in Battersea, London, Michael’s training as an architect was interrupted by serving as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) during the war, and he took part in the operation on Omaha beach in the wake of the D-Day landings in June 1944.

After finishing his studies at The North London Polytechnic he worked for the architects’ department of Scotland Yard before becoming senior architect and then principal architect at Coventry District Council from 1956 to 1973.

He was responsible for much of the re-building and regeneration of Coventry after it had suffered so badly during the war. He is particularly remembered for the much-acclaimed Swimming Baths, which have recently been listed as a Grade II building by National Heritage.

From 1973 to 1987, Michael was the chief architect at Waverley District Council. He led a dynamic and imaginative team who worked on a broad range of projects, winning a number of awards and distinctions, including for the Farnham Sports Centre and the St James’s Church conversion in East Street, Farnham. He was awarded an MBE for services to architecture in 1984.

After retiring as chief architect, Michael continued to work as a consultant for a number of private architectural practices and to develop his interest in painting.

He enjoyed considerable success as a painter, and had numerous exhibitions, most significantly a major retrospective at Wolfson College in 2006.

He was also actively involved in Farnham life having moved to the town in 1996, particularly as a member of The Farnham Society and of The Farnham Public Art Trust. Michael is survived by his wife Geri, two sons and a daughter.