Sold-out concert in memory of one of Finedon's finest

The town’s Star Hall provided the stage for 22 singers and dancers who performed at the Finedon’s Got Talent event on Saturday.

Jonathan Reynolds planned and organised the event, which sold out a month in advance, as a tribute to John Bailey MBE who died in July this year following a short battle with cancer.

The concert raised about £1,000 for Finedon Local History Society.

Malcolm Peet, chairman of the society, said: “Thank you Jonathan, artistes, stage hands and helpers for showing that Finedon really does have talent.”

The event was held in memory of John Bailey, who was elected councillor to the Urban District Council in 1967 and to the new Borough Council of Wellingborough in 1973, serving as a member for the Finedon Ward, and giving nearly 50 years of continuous service.

He served as the borough’s mayor in 1976-77 and 2004-05, and was leader of the council from 2005-2011.

He was elected to Finedon Parish Council in 1983, on which he had served continuously.

Cllr Bailey’s widow, Barbara, was elected to represent Finedon on the borough council in the by-election held following her husband’s death.

Outside of politics, Cllr Bailey had a love for history, including publishing three books on Finedon, and gardening.

Among those at Saturday’s event was the Revd Richard Coles, who led Cllr Bailey’s funeral service at St Mary’s Church in Finedon earlier this year.

Speaking at the funeral, Revd Coles described Cllr Bailey as Finedon’s ‘Mr History’ and said Cllr Bailey would be the first person he would call with any question about the town’s history and heritage.

To read more about Cllr Bailey and his life, click here