Tributes Paid To Former Councillor

Parish councillors have paid tribute to the late Brian Mather, who represented the old Saddleworth East ward on Oldham Council for 20 years. Mr Mather passed away earlier this month at the age of 74, following a battle with stomach cancer.

At Monday night’s meeting of Saddleworth Parish Council, Cllr John Hudson said Liberal Democrat Mr Mather had made a “major contribution” to both Saddleworth and Oldham. Despite being a Conservative himself, Cllr Hudson said his old political opponent was “really appreciated across party lines” as someone who “worked jolly hard” for the people he represented.

Cllr Brian Lord added that while Mr Mather was regarded as one of the nicest people in local politics, if you got on the wrong side of him “he could put the boot in, but in a very nice way.” He also praised Mr Mather’s work as a governor at Saddleworth School, and said he’d handled the “poisoned chalice” of Oldham Council’s finance portfolio well.

Mr Mather served on Oldham Council between 1984 and 2004, and was Mayor of Oldham in 1993/94. His funeral took place at Uppermill Methodist Church last Friday.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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