National News
Sydney Brewin 1931-2009
Sunday 15 February 2009
Hayling Resident, Sydney Brewin, who died recently aged 77 after a long illness, may best be remembered for twice standing for Parliament to represent Havant.
In 1974, the same year as Havant became a borough, Sid Brewin stood for the Liberals gaining over 18000 votes and coming second to veteran Tory MP, Sir Ian Lloyd. Later the same year, in a second general election, he stood again.
Sid was born in Burton on Trent, the son of a local shop owner. He attended Burton Grammar school and after leaving was urged by his parents to study and become a chartered accountant. He qualified at Accountants Peat Marwick in London and then moved eventually to Southsea to become a partner in a local firm and then to Hayling Island having married in 1959. He remained on the island for 37 years and started his own business, Brewin & Co, in South Street, Havant specialising in company insolvencies for over 30 years. Sid served 3 terms on Havant council in the seventies and eighties representing the Barncroft ward in Leigh Park. Always keen on working for the community, Sid was awarded MBE for services to the Citizen Advice bureau.
He was a Freeman of the City of London and a Member of the Worshipful Company of Secretaries and Administrators. He was a great friend of Israel and visited the country several times. Havant Lib Dem Chairman, Ray Cobbett, said, "Sid was natural enthusiast, a fearless campaigner always on the side of disadvantaged people and a genius with numbers."
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Diana, daughters Sarah and Caroline, and three grandchildren.