Former mayor Norman dies, aged 80

Norman Bennett

A FORMER mayor of Oldham, Norman Bennett, has died at the age of 80.

Mr Bennett, was Mayor in 1992, and served as a Labour councillor for 30 years before he retired from politics five years ago.

John Battye, former Oldham council leader, paid tribute to a man he described as “an outstanding councillor and an excellent mayor”.

He said: “I have known Norman since 1974 and he was a tremendous stalwart of the Labour party.

“He was treasurer of the group for many many years, and his stewardship of finances was second to none.”

Mr Battye added: “Norman also served on the Mayor’s appeal committee for nearly 30 years.”

Mr Bennett was heavily involved in local public life, and served as a governor at several schools — Blue Coat, Roundthorn, North Chadderton, Grange and Glodwick.

He was a former member of the Greater Manchester Police Authority, and a member of the former Oldham Community Health Council, including a stint as chairman.

He was a former chairman of the Oldham branch of the Royal British Legion, and was also an active trade unionist, and a former secretary of the Oldham branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union.

He was born in Glodwick, trained as an engineer after leaving school at 14, and served in the army for four years until 1949.

He leaves behind a wife, Dorothy, and a daughter, Deborah.