Civic honour for community giant

Roger Tanner MBE receives the Civic Appreciation Award 2014 from the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor John Hudson. Pictured with them are Liberal Democrat leader Councillor. Howard Sykes (left), and Councillor Jim McMahon, leader of Oldham Council

COMMUNITY stalwart Roger Tanner MBE has become the latest recipient of Oldham Council’s Civic Appreciation Award for his tireless work in the borough.

Mr Tanner (92) was born in Greenfield, the youngest son of a large mill-owning family.

The modest, gifted man has made an exceptional contribution to community life in the borough, last night’s Oldham Council meeting heard

The Mayor, Councillor John Hudson, said: “He gave up a lot of his time to serve the community and nearly always at his own expense. The people of Oldham owe a great debt to Roger Tanner.”

Mr Tanner was humbled by the gesture: “This has left me thoroughly embarrassed. It is a very generous gesture and I have been very lucky in my life. Thank you very much for your hospitality and generosity and you have managed to embarrass me pretty well!”

Mr Tanner’s studies were cut short by the outbreak of World War Two, when he joined the Fleet Air Arm and served in the Far East.

After the war he returned to Greenfield and began working in the family business, which employed more than 900 people.

He joined Greenfield Cricket Club in his youth and his family founded the Tanner Cup, played for by the Saddleworth and District League, of which he remains president.

A dedicated community servant, he served as a member of Saddleworth Urban District Council from 1957-1970 and as chairman in 1963, before joining Saddleworth parish council in 1975.

Mr Tanner also helped to found Saddleworth Chamber Concerts Society in 1974 and became chairman of the Friends of the Royal Northern College of Music in 1977.

He founded Saddleworth Museum, using his own money to purchase a derelict mill alongside the canal in Uppermill. He became Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester two years later.

In 2003 his work was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, when he was awarded an MBE for services to the arts.