Tributes paid to former Mayor

From the The Bolton News, first published Saturday 25th Aug 2007.

FAMILY and colleagues have paid tribute to a former councillor who has lost his battle with cancer.

Bernard Ramsden died, aged 74, having suffered from cancer of the oesophagus for three-and-a-half years.

The former British Aerospace researcher had been Mayor of Westhoughton in 1999 and also sat on Bolton Council as ward-member for Hulton Park, between 1995 and 1999.

He was re-elected to Westhoughton Town Council in May but was unable to attend any meetings due to his illness.

His widow, Barbara, also a former councillor, said: "Bernard was a very sincere man, committed to the community and to what he believed in. He was very supportive of the organisations that he worked with. He was my soul mate and an excellent husband."

The couple have three children and four grandchildren between them. Mr Ramsden moved to Westhoughton in 1990, the same year he and his wife were married.

He became a member of Westhoughton Rotary Club and sat on the governing bodies of Westhoughton High School and Washacre Primary School.

He died on August 11. Mourners packed into St Bartholomew's Church, in Westhoughton, for his funeral, which was attended by Bolton MPs Ruth Kelly and Brian Iddon on Monday.

Westhoughton Town Council leader Cllr David Chadwick said: "Bernard was one of life's gentlemen.

"A nice man and a good friend to his colleagues and the Labour party."

The town council will ask Bolton Council's Returning Officer to delay a by-election for Mr Ramsden's seat until next May, as a mark of respect.

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