Wilmslow Town Council paid tribute to two former councillors Jim Crockatt and Adrian Bradley who both passed away recently.
Chairman Cllr Martin Watkins said "Councillor Crockatt, Jim to us, was really the father of this council. A councillor of one of the Wilmslow wards for Macclesfield Borough Council, a past Mayor of Macclesfield Borough Council, Alderleyman of Cheshire East Council, he more than anyone else fought to re-establish a town council in Wilmslow.
Cllr Martin Watkins added "He served on this Council for 4 years from 2011 to 2015 and as its Chairman for the first two years, which time he was well into his nineties. Not that that mattered as his brain was as sharp as a needle and a font of all knowledge right up until the day of his passing."
Cllr Adrian Bradley was also a councillor on Macclesfield Borough Council, an Alderman of Cheshire East Council and latterly a member of Wilmslow Town Council from 2011 until 2015.
A proud family man, Adrian was married to Margaret for 54 years – she too served as a local councillor for Morley and Styal. They raised their sons Steve and Nick in Wilmslow, with both boys attending the High School.
As retirement approached he completed a degree in his spare time, in Politics and Contemporary History, at Salford University. His lifelong interest in politics then led to his local political career. Adrian served as a Local Councillor at Macclesfield Borough Council, for the Lacey Green ward in Wilmslow, for eight years from 1998. At the same time he enjoyed being a Governor at the primary school there.
He was also elected as a County Councillor for Wilmslow North, at Cheshire County Council, a role he fulfilled for four years, then as a member of Wilmslow Town Council from 2011 to 2015.
After his political career he continued to keep busy serving the community well into his seventies. As a member of Cheshire East Adoptions Panel he helped co-ordinate the matching of children awaiting adoption, with the prospective parents that would provide them with a new, happy family home.
Adrian also did voluntary work for the Royal British Legion, supporting their annual Poppy Appeal around Wilmslow by delivering poppies and collection tins to shops, pubs and schools in the area – in addition to selling poppies himself around the town centre. As Chairman of the Wilmslow Aid Trust he co-ordinated the distribution of charitable donations to local causes.
A much-loved Grandad, he enjoyed spending time with his four grandsons, Adam, George, Alexander and Benjamin.
Adrian passed away peacefully at Opal House, Wythenshawe Hospital, on Tuesday 2nd May, aged 78. Following a private cremation at Macclesfield last week, there will be a memorial service for him at Dean Row Unitarian Chapel on Tuesday 16th May at noon, with all welcome.
There will also be a memorial service for Jim Crockatt's tomorrow, Tuesday 16th May, which will commence at 12.30pm at St Bartholomew's Church.
Photos: (l-r) Adrian Bradley and Jim Crockatt.
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