Obituary: Former Whitworth Town Council clerk Ron Pickup dies aged 83

Former councillor and clerk to Whitworth Town Council, Ron Pickup has died at the age of 83.

Mr Pickup, husband of former Mayor of Whitworth and Honorary Alderman Eileen Kershaw, also served as a Labour county councillor.

Before he joined Whitworth Town Council in 1995, Mr Pickup worked as an accountant and served as the borough treasurer for Littleborough and Clitheroe.

When he joined Whitworth Town Council, they were suffering a financial crisis after discovering £130,000 had gone missing and that its then town clerk Gerry Taylor had also disappeared.

Ron worked with the council to help them out of the crisis and two years later, the council were back on an even keel.

After working closely with Eileen on the council for several years, the couple were married in 2000.

In his spare time, Mr Pickup was a fan of sport and especially enjoyed cricket.

He also enjoyed reading, particularly biographies.

He and his wife also enjoyed going on cruises.

Karen Douglas, Town Clerk at Whitworth Town Council said: “Everyone at Whitworth Town Council was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Pickup, a former councillor and Clerk to the Town Council. Our thoughts are with Eileen at this sad time, and we send her best wishes and deepest sympathies.”

Mr Pickup also leaves his children Allan, Leslie and Christine, step-children DJs Andy and Liz Kershaw and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at St Mary’s and St Anselm RC Church, Whitworth at 10am on Thursday 19 February. A committal will then follow at Rochdale Crematorium at 11.50am.