Oldham mourns former Mayor

COUNCILLOR Ann Wingate in her mayor-elect year, 2007

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Oldham Mayor Ann Wingate who has died suddenly, aged 70.

The Lib-Dem councillor represented Crompton for 17 years and was Mayor of Oldham in 2007/08, before stepping down from the council last year.

Current Mayor Councillor John Hudson said: “I am extremely saddened to hear about her death. Ann served as a councillor for 17 years and did a great deal for the people of Crompton.”

Ann spent a successful year as Mayor from 2007-08 and also served on various committees.

Mrs Wingate taught German at North Chadderton School until the early 1990s.

She lived in Coppice after moving to Oldham and she and her husband Ken later moved to Springhead, then lived in Shaw from the 1980s.

Councillor Howard Sykes, leader of Oldham’s Lib-Dems said: “Ann was a hardworking and extremely loyal councillor and Mayor. She was a strong advocate for the young people of Oldham with loads of passion to improve education delivered in the borough.”

Council leader Councillor Jim McMahon said: “The news that Ann has passed away has been met with sadness across the council and by the many people she helped over the years.”