Packed church pays tribute to Dr Bill Lees

From the archive, first published Friday 12th Aug 2005.

MICHELMERSH has paid homage to a popular adopted son - Dr Bill Lees.

Nearly 200 mourners paid their last respects to Dr Lees, who died on July 30th, during a moving thanksgiving service for his life at St Mary's Church on Monday afternoon. The church was so full, some mourners had to listen to the service outside via a public address system.

Manchester-born, Dr Lees, 72, moved to Michelmersh in 1984 and soon fell in love with the village he devoted 20 years of his life to. The internationally renowned adhesives expert was awarded the prestigious 2004 de Bruyne Medal earlier this year and was due to receive it next month. It was bestowed upon the scientist for his innovation in the field of adhesives. Dr Lees and his team at Permabond, of which he was a former technical director, was behind a range of innovative glues used in the assembly of machinery parts including Formula One racing cars, tanks and aircraft components.

His team also played a key role in ensuring gas supplies were safely piped around Britain after problems with leakages following the introduction of North Sea gas.

A friend and work colleague, Richard Moulds, paid tribute to Dr Lees' outstanding contributions to the adhesives world and Permabond during the service. And the Rector of Michelmersh and neighbouring Timsbury, Canon Bruce Kington, described Dr Lees as a "remarkable" man.

There will also tributes to their father from Dr Lees' son Clive and daughter Jacky. And amongst the hymns was Fight the good fight with all thy might -one of Dr Lees' favourites. Michelmersh Silver Band - which Dr Lees - a former police officer with Hampshire's Special Constabulary - supported, played during the service together with the church organist Katharine Edmonds.

Following the service at Michelmersh, Dr Lees widow, Mary, and family members attended the private cremation service in Southampton. An exhibition of Dr Lees' achievements in the scientific world and family life was on display at Michelmersh Barns after the church service.

Dr Lees was chairman of Michelmersh and Timsbury Parish Council and his colleagues including vice-chairman Peter Pritchett-Brown and his wife Sue were amongst the mourners. Mottisfont Parish Council chairman, John Millns, and his wife, Jacqui, also attended. Other politicians present included Hampshire's deputy leader Mike Woodhall, Romsey's county member, Mark Cooper, and King's Somborne and Michelmersh borough member, David Bidwell, and former borough mayor and mayoress, Neville and Janet Whiteley. Representatives from Romsey and District Society, of which Dr Lees was chairman for a time, were also there along with ex-Permabond colleagues and friends he made ove