Tributes paid to well-respected West Sussex solicitor with wicked sense of humour

Clifford L Hodgetts OBE DL, a well-respected Sussex solicitor and ecclesiastical lawyer with a wicked sense of humour, has died peacefully at home aged 85.
Clifford was involved in the inception of Chichester Festival Theatre in the early 1960sClifford was involved in the inception of Chichester Festival Theatre in the early 1960s
Clifford was involved in the inception of Chichester Festival Theatre in the early 1960s

On leaving Dean Close School, Clifford read law at Bristol University. He qualified as a solicitor after completing articles in Cheltenham, then entered the Army to fulfil his deferred National Service obligation. Having played hockey at county level, much of his military service was spent furthering the Army’s reputation on the fields of hockey. Demobbed after the obligatory two years, he joined Thomas Eggar & Son, arriving in Chichester in 1960 with his wife and an eight-month-old daughter.

In 1971 he was appointed Clerk to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral and Registrar of the Diocese of Chichester going on to become one of England’s leading experts in ecclesiastical law. In 1991 he was appointed Registrar to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey and in 2000, awarded the OBE for services to the Church of England.

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Meanwhile he had been elected senior partner of Thomas Eggar in 1987, a position he retained until his retirement in 1999. During his tenure Thomas Eggar became firmly established amongst the top 100 firms of solicitors in England following mergers with Verrall Bowles & Stevens based in Worthing in 1989 and Church Adams and Tatham practising in London and Reigate in 1998.

Modern gargoyle representing Clifford L Hodgetts OBE DL, former Clerk to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester CathedralModern gargoyle representing Clifford L Hodgetts OBE DL, former Clerk to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral
Modern gargoyle representing Clifford L Hodgetts OBE DL, former Clerk to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral

Having been involved in the inception of Chichester Festival Theatre in the early 1960s and he was subsequently appointed a Trustee and Board Director of the Theatre in the early 1990s, retiring in 2012 having served as Vice Chairman for several years. He served as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex for 15 years following his appointment in 1994 and was a Trustee and Governor of Westbourne House School from 1991 to 2007.

Whilst at school he met his wife Anthea Langhorne and they married in October 1957 and had three children Julia, Sarah and Richard. Clifford was an avid walker with a great love of the countryside, his dogs and Test Match Special. He enjoyed many happy hours with his family and was noted for his cheating at all games played with his children and grandchildren!

Clifford Hodgetts, Solicitor, was born on May 12, 1934 and died peacefully at home aged 85 on May 11, 2020.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Clifford served as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex for 15 yearsClifford served as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex for 15 years
Clifford served as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex for 15 years
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