Super six to be given civic honours by the council

Date published: 11 December 2019

Six people who have made outstanding contributions to the borough of Rochdale are to be honoured by the council.

Two local businessmen are being given the freedom of the borough, while four former councillors are being made Aldermen or Alderwomen.

The civic honours will be bestowed upon them at a meeting of the council in Rochdale town hall on Wednesday 18 December 2018.

David Kilpatrick, a former chairman of Rochdale AFC who spent 22 years in charge of the club, is being made a freeman in recognition of his significant contribution to local business and charitable activities. He is recognised as one of the key figures involved in turning around the fortunes of the club in the 1980s.

Economist and author Paul Ormerod is also being made a Freeman of the borough in recognition of his significant and continued contribution to academia and voluntary support to local sporting organisations, including Rochdale Hornets Rugby League Club to whom he has been a generous benefactor.

Former mayoress Ann Stott is being made Honorary Alderman. She represented the Littleborough Lakeside ward between 2011 and 2019 and was nominated for her substantial voluntary and charitable works.

Angela Coric is also being made Honorary Alderman. She served on the council between 1992 and 2010. As well as being mayor during 2004/05, Ms Coric was chair and vice chair of a number of council committees.

Patricia Colclough, who is a former councillor for Balderstone and Kirkholt is being made Honorary Alderwoman. She was born and raised in Rochdale and continues to contribute to the borough through school governorship and supports community interests through her work with Back O’th Moss Community Centre.

Former Wardle and West Littleborough councillor Robert Clegg OBE is also being made Honorary Alderman for his significant contribution to local charities and the education sector. He is a long-time supporter of Springhill Hospice, and played a major role in raising the funds to have it built. He is also a former chief executive of a local NHS trust.