Two veteran ex-councillors have made a speedy return to the council chamber… as the borough’s latest honorary aldermen.
Audrey Bennett and Alf Robinson were honoured for their distinguished public service to the people of Wigan at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday (29th October).
Elected in 1977, Audrey Bennett was an Abram councillor for more than 30 years until she stepped down earlier this year. She made history in 1989 when she became the borough’s first woman mayor. She was a long-standing member of the highways and planning committees and in recent years was vice-chairman of the planning committee.
Until he retired earlier this year, former Hindley councillor Alf Robinson had an unbroken 34 years service on Wigan Metro since it was created in 1974. Before then he was a councillor for the old Hindley Urban District Council. For many years he was vice-chairman of the recreation and amenities committee and a long-serving member of the planning committee.
Both aldermen represented the council on many school governing bodies and community organisations. They received an illuminated scroll from the mayor, Cllr Rona Winkworth, recognising their ‘eminent and distinguished’ service.
Years ago the office of alderman carried political power. They were the elder statesmen of local government. Nowadays the position is entirely honorary, and is seen as a way of recognising many years of distinguished public service.
