Council 'deeply saddened' following death of Rushden councillor

A council is mourning following the loss of one of its dedicated district councillors.

Elected members and staff at East Northants Council are deeply saddened by the death of Cllr Ron Pinnock on Friday (October 30) following a period of illness.

A spokesman for the council said: "Our condolences and thoughts are with his wife, family and friends at this sad and difficult time.

"The council’s flag flies at half-mast outside of the Thrapston office as a mark of respect."

Cllr Pinnock, as former chairman of East Northamptonshire Council during 2004/05, was highly respected within the council and local community of Rushden where he was ward member for the Sartoris ward.

He was also a former county councillor, a Rushden town councillor and was mayor of Rushden 2002/03.

Responding to the sad news, leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Steven North, said: “I knew Ron as both a colleague and a friend and it was my pleasure to serve the people of Rushden Sartoris with him.

"Ron always had the needs of the residents at the heart of all he did and worked hard for the people of Rushden and East Northamptonshire.

"I will miss his knowledge, experience and warmth.

"He will be greatly missed by us all.”

The union flag is also flying at half-mast at the Memorial Gardens in Rushden as a mark of respect for Cllr Pinnock from all at Rushden Town Council.

Responding to the sad news, Clive Wood, former mayor of Rushden and former chairman of East Northamptonshire Council, said: "I have known Ron for over 60 years, from our time at Rushden Boys school, through his business involvement in the local shoe industry and as a town and district councillor.

"Ron was both a colleague and good friend and he always had the interests of Rushden and Rushden residents at heart.

"I shall miss our conversations and his many tales, not least his travels associated with our local shoe factories and his warmth and genuine desire to do good for the town he loved."

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