Tributes to long-serving former mayor

4:18pm Wednesday 12th March 2008

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THE daughter of a former mayor who served his village and borough for more than 25 years has paid tribute to a dearly loved father and grandfather.

Charles Warkman, 90, of Hob Green, Mellor, died on March 1 in East Lancashire Hospice after a short battle against lung cancer.

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Mr Warkman was a Ribble Valley councillor for 25 years until his retirement at last May's local elections, during which time he had been an active parish councillor as well.

Last Autumn he was made an honorary alderman of Ribble Valley in recognition of his services to the area. He was mayor of the borough during 2004/05.

His daughter Susan Draper, 59, of Elswick Gardens, Mellor, said her father had been very active up until a few months before his death.

She said: "Being made honorary alderman of the borough meant a lot to him because it was an acknowledgment of all the work he had done over the years.

"He seemed to work harder than people with a nine to five job, especially with all the meetings he went to.

"He seemed to do so many things and his main concern was the people of Mellor. He was always answering phone calls and listening to people's concerns."

Mr Warkman was orignally from the north east of England and lived his early years in Saltburn, near Middlesborough. He worked as a draftsman and had lived in Mellor for many years.

Even up until last April, Mr Warkman was still campaigning on local issues at the age of 89 when he led calls for a review on road safety in Mellor Lane, Mellor, following a horror smash in the road last Spring.

"He was a dearly loved father and grandfather and he had a good life and did good things for people, everybody who knew him said that," added Susan.

Besides Susan he is survived by his wife Ruth, 91, to whom he was married for 65 years, his son David and two grandchildren.