Tributes paid following death of former council leader and honorary freeman of Wellingborough

Graham Ridge has been described as a remarkable man who will be deeply missed
Graham Ridge was a councillor in Wellingborough for many yearsGraham Ridge was a councillor in Wellingborough for many years
Graham Ridge was a councillor in Wellingborough for many years

Tributes have been paid following the death of a former council leader who also had the honour of being an honorary freeman of Wellingborough.

Honorary freeman Graham Ridge died peacefully in the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday) following a short illness.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The flags outside Swanspool House are flying at half-mast and will do so until sunset on the day of his funeral in honour of Graham who served on the authority for many years.

Graham was elected as a Labour councillor to the Wellingborough Urban District Council in 1962 and served that council until 1967.

He was elected to Wellingborough Council in 1973 and represented Queensway ward until May 200, a total of 39 years' service.

He became mayor in 1979-80, with his late wife Sue as mayoress, and was council leader from 1997 to 2003.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Graham was admitted as an honorary freeman of the borough in May 2013 with the honour being given to him as a person who had given eminent service to the borough, to local government generally and to other organisations.

Graham RidgeGraham Ridge
Graham Ridge

His career was spent in education, teaching modern languages in local schools, at Tresham College, and for the University of Maryland.

He was headteacher of Huxlow Comprehensive School for 21 years until his retirement.

He served on the Northamptonshire Education committee for 10 years as a teacher representative and was governor of Ruskin Infants and Junior School and Hardwick Infants and Junior School for some 10 years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In addition he gave outstanding service to many other local organisations and was a true champion for the voluntary sector.

He was also chairman of the board of Wellingborough Homes from 2006 to 2008.

He was a founder member of the Wellingborough Branch of the United Nations Association; the Wellingborough Twinning Association, of which he was very passionate, being a fluent French speaker, and chairman from 1977 to 1985; and was also chairman from 1997 to 2012 of the Friends of The Castle.

He also represented the council on many local government bodies at county and regional level and was an accredited peer with the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cllr Scarborough, leader of the Labour group, said: “Graham Ridge was a remarkable man.

"He devoted his life as a teacher, councillor and supporter of many voluntary organisations to the people of Wellingborough and the surrounding area.

"He was the much loved and deeply respected leader of the Labour group on Wellingborough Council for many years and we will all miss him very deeply.”

Cllr Martin Griffiths, leader of the council, said: “Graham was a formidable and wise political opponent but a gentleman, proud of Wellingborough and always loyal to the council.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A statement released by Wellingborough Council today added: "Away from his political and civic life, Graham was very well respected and a well-known figure in the town.

"He was very sociable and had time for everyone, loved spending time with his family of whom he was very proud, foreign travel, rugby and was partial to a glass of red wine.

"He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

"Our sincere condolences are extended to his son Neil, daughter Belinda and grandchildren Alex and Ellie."

Labour councillor Tim Maguire, who represents Irchester, told the Northants Telegraph that Graham lost his council seat on the day that he was elected so sadly they never worked together on the authority.

But he said: "I have known him since I was 13 or 14.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I learnt a lot from him, he was one of my mentors, along with Jean and John Mann.

"I could still ring Graham up until a few months ago and he would ring me.

"If I had an issue and was unsure how to deal with it, I would ring John and Graham."

And he added: "He was always there for all of us.

"We are all saddened.

"He was a big part of the Labour party and a big part of the community he served.

"He was a headmaster as well at Huxlow School.

"He was well-known.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He was a good friend to me and his wife Sue, I feel so sorry for the family.

"It's a sad day for everyone.

"He did so much good for the Queensway estate, it wasn't an easy estate to represent but he did it."

Fellow Labour councillor Adam Henley, who now represents the Queensway ward, tweeted following Graham's death and said: "Devastated to hear that former Cllr Graham Ridge passed away this morning.

"It’s been my privilege to know Graham for over 20 years and he was a genuine and lovely man.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He leaves behind a massive legacy and I was very grateful to see him one last time a fortnight ago, RIP."

Liz Coombe, who used to represent Brickhill and Queensway on Northants County Council, also tweeted, saying: "End of an era.

"He did so much for the town and was always ready to help.

"So very sad, such a lovely man."

Paul Crofts has also paid tribute to Graham on Twitter, saying: "So sorry to hear of the death of Graham Ridge.

"A wonderful man, a socialist, a teacher.

"Leader of the Labour group on Wellingborough Council for many years and council leader for six years.

"It was an honour to serve with him. Condolences to his family. RIP Graham."

Related topics: