Tributes to youth worker ‘Mr Meadows’
TRIBUTES have been paid to a beloved Nottingham community figure following his death.
Nottingham City Council issued a statement on Boxing Day confirming that Karl White, known to many as “Mr Meadows”, had died from Covid.
His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes and praise for his work in The Meadows.
After moving to Nottingham from Jamaica in 1968, Mr White went on to work for Nottingham City Council’s youth services team for 32 years before retiring in 2016.
His work included running The Meadows Youth Centre.
Mr White had most recently been organising football for kids from The Meadows, having previously formed local team FC Cavaliers.
He was also serving as a member of the boards of Queens Walk Community Association and the Bridges Community Trust.
Miriam Gifford, chair of the Bridges Community Trust, described Mr White as a “living legend” with “quiet, unassuming strength and faith”.
She said in a Facebook post: “The more I got to know him the more respect I had. He phoned me when he went into hospital to make sure I carried on with his work for the youth of The Meadows. He told me he would be home in a couple of days. I will carry on with your work, Karl White.”
The city council said it was “saddened” to hear of Mr White’s death.
“We send our deep condolences to all who knew and loved him,” it said on its website.
Social media users also poured in their tributes for Mr White.
One local resident tweeted: “Being raised in The Meadows, it is without any doubt that Karl was a legend amongst our community and its youth in particular.”
Another said: “More than a man, he was a second father to us all growing up. Influenced many generations of youth, made us see a better way, but never judged.”