Tributes to Ribble Valley councillor hailed 'Mr Read' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Tributes to Ribble Valley councillor hailed 'Mr Read'

1:57pm Thursday 2nd June 2011 in Read Exclusive By Nazia Parveen, Reporter

A RIBBLE Valley parish councillor hailed as a community stalwart has died.

Read churchwarden and parish councillor Cyril Law, who retired after 41 years’ service earlier this year, has died aged 84.

The ‘hugely respected’ councillor also gave 48 years’ service to his role as churchwarden at St John’s Church, Read, serving under five vicars.

Known as ‘Mr Read’ he became a parish councillor in 1970 and represented Read as a Ribble Valley borough coun-cillor for many years as an independent.

He played an active part in the village’s successful application to be included in the 1972 boundary review, and had a central role in the public inquiry, held in support of Simonstone’s application for inclusion in the Ribble Valley.

Over the years he also represented the village on numerous bodies including the Police Forum, the Education Liaison Committee and the Police and Crime Partnership.

In 2010, he was presented with a long-service certificate by fellow councillors, and, following his retirement in April this year, was awarded a plaque by the officers in appreciation of his efforts to ensure good relationships between parishes and the borough council.

A mechanical engineer at the former Burnley aerospace company Lucas, he was also a keen baker and fan of Burnley Football Club.

His wife, Joyce, 84, said: “He was held in very high regard by everyone who knew him because he was always keen to help people and put himself out for others.”

Mr Law, who grew up in Accrington, met Joyce at a dance in Read School, before set-tling in the village more than 60 years ago.

He served in the Royal Navy during the war as a Petty Officer and despite a heart attack in 1984, he completed the London Mara-thon four years later.

He also completed the Coast to Coast Walk and the West Highland Way in 1994.

His son John, said: “My dad was very well respected in Read and beyond for his unstinting service to the community.

“As for his time on the parish council, dad didn’t believe in party politics.

"Helping local people with their problems was more important to him.“

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