Tributes paid to scout leader

A WELL-known scout organiser and “irreplaceable character” died at the weekend at the age of 61.

John Woolley, of Saddleworth, had driven up to Durham to see university friends and was taken ill. He died a short time later.

John had committed 40 years to scouting and the development of children and young people. He worked as a teacher at Counthill School, now Waterhead Academy, before volunteering as a cub-scout leader in 1978.

Mr Woolley went on to become county commissioner for Greater Manchester North between 2007 and 2012 before returning to his home district of Oldham to act as trustee and Oldham district secretary.

Current district commissioner for Oldham Ian Temple-Heald paid tribute to Mr Woolley’s dedication and the effect he had on the community.

He said: “John is quite frankly an irreplaceable character; Oldham has lost one of its stars this weekend.”