Chris Witts

Chris Witts 1
Chris Witts 1
Sue Dubois introduces Chris and asks him how he came to work on the ships sailing from Gloucester
Chris Witts 2
Chris Witts 2
Chris explains how he came across a scale model of the fire engine he used to work on when he was in the fire service
Chris Witts 3
Chris Witts 3
Here, Chris recalls one of the fires he attentded in Barton and Tredworth
Chris Witts 5
Chris Witts 5
In this clip, Chris gives an explanation of the roles of Sheriff and Mayor of Gloucester and how he fulfilled both roles
Chris Witts 6
Chris Witts 6
Finally, Chris gives an explanation of the Mock Mayor of Barton ceremony
Chris as Mayor of Gloucester in 2009/10
Chris as Sherif of Gloucester 2006/7

Chris Witts has lead a truly remarkable life and here in this collection of audio clips, he tells Sue Dubois all about some of his most memorable experiences. Chris attended the Central School in Derby Road before entering the world of merchant shipping as a ship’s lad. This took him all around the UK and overseas and Chris clearly recalls the night of the Severn Railway Bridge disaster – the boat he was on was traversing the Severn not too far from the bridge when the accident occured.

Later, Chris left shipping to join the Fire Service and ended up serving the communities of Gloucester for 27 years. After this, Chris returned to shipping before being persuaded to enter the world of politics by standing for the role of Councillor for the Longlevens area. He went on to win the seat, and in 2006 Chris was elected as Sheriff of Gloucester. In 2009 Chris was elected as Mayor of Gloucester and in the the later audio clips, he speaks about what the role meant to him, the local community and also his thoughts on the Mock Mayor of Barton role in the community.

Comments about this page

  • I was looking over the site & saw the comments & history of Chris Witts.

    We both went to Central School at the same time.

    Coincidence I also joined the fire brigade but as an auxiliary serving at the station which I hear Chris says is being demolished.

    Only finished at the disbandment of the auxiliaries, I guess I was around 18.

    Remember the hook ladder drills up the tower & practising dropping off the top of the old turntable ladder on a weight clutch system,  at the time full of bravado!! That engine was the pride & joy of the service. The officer looking after the reserves was Station officer Warburton, I recall his brother was senior officer there.

    We lived fairly close at one stage & I remember going with his family to the Quaker meeting rooms for some time.

    By Roger Kelly (20/01/2015)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.