Borough to honour ‘outstanding’ Tanner

ROGER TANNER . . . sterling work in the borough

ROGER Tanner is to be honoured for his outstanding contribution to local history, sport, politics, industry and the arts.

The 91 year old, who founded Saddleworth Museum, will be the third person to receive the annual Civic Appreciation Award from Oldham Council.

Mr Tanner was a member of Saddleworth Urban district council from 1957-1970, serving as chairman for a year, and was a Saddleworth parish councillor in 1975/6.

A keen local historian, he bought a derelict mill in Uppermill which he transformed into Saddleworth Museum with a group of volunteers. He is still chairman of the museum and of Saddleworth Festival of the Arts.

Mr Tanner is also a founder member of Saddleworth Chamber Concerts Society, a former chairman of the Friends of the Royal Northern College of Music, a former executive committee member of North West Arts and set up Saddleworth Civic Trust.

His family has also supported local cricket for many years, donating the Tanner Cup to the Saddleworth and District League of which Mr Tanner is the president.

He became Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester in 1979 and was awarded the MBE in 2003 for services to the arts. He has also been a director of the charity Oldham and Rochdale Groundwork Trust and vice chairman of Oldham Health Development Trust.

The previous recipients of the Civic Appreciation Award are tenants’ champion Harry Burns and Groundwork stalwart Cliff Ellison.

Mr Tanner’s nomination was passed by councillors last night when he was described as a “modest and gifted man, with a keen sense of humour whose contribution is exceptional and worthy of note in Oldham”.

He will be presented with the honour at a ceremony on Wednesday, February 5.