​A pillar of Whaddon’s community says the area needs more leaders to help it fulfil its potential.

Claude Bullingham, of Clyde Crescent, was awarded an MBE after years dedicated to representing residents’ views and working on initiatives to improve the neighbourhood.

He was struck down by a stroke exactly a year ago and has been unable to play a full part in community life  since then.

The 80-year-old, who is still recovering from the stroke, said Whaddon needed more people to play a part in representing residents’ needs.

He said: “I’ve lived in Whaddon for most of my life and I love it here. It’s a great place and the people who live here are mostly very proud of it.

“I would like to see more people getting involved in taking the community forward. We need young people on board to help give the area a strong voice.”

Mr Bullingham was chairman of the Whaddon Residents’ Association for 16 years after setting it up in the early 1990s.

He was also involved in countless community initiatives, setting up a summer youth football tournament which is now a hit with teams across Cheltenham.

The football tournament is still going strong, but the residents’ association has struggled for numbers since his enforced absence.

His wife Doreen, 79, said: “Claude did so much for the community and I think he misses playing a part.

“He’s doing well and is able to talk more than he was. We made it down to a residents’ meeting recently and he enjoyed listening to the issues that were raised.

“But there is a need for someone to take on the baton. Whaddon needs people to take it forward, representing the needs of people who live here.”

The stroke left Mr Bullingham unable to collect his MBE, but there are plans for Gloucestershire Lord Lieutenant Henry Elwes to present it to him later this year.

Councillor David Prince (Oakley, PAB) said: “People like Claude Bullingham do not come round very often.

“He did a great job in the community and has naturally left a very big gap.

“It will take an awful long time before we could replace the kind of work he did for Whaddon.”