Former Mayor Surinder Biant dies

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Mayoress Cecile Biant and Mayor Surinder Biant

Former Mayor of Rochdale and Spotland and Falinge ward councillor Surinder Biant has sadly died.

As a sign of respect, the borough flag will be flying at half-mast at Number One Riverside until the day after the funeral.

The Mayor's office has extended condolences to his widow, Cecile, former mayoress and ward councillor for Spotland and Falinge, and their family and friends.

Born in Nairobi, Surinder left school at the age of 14 to work for his brother in Uganda as a plumber and drain layer. He went back to school at 18 and trained as a teacher. He taught science and P.E. in Uganda before moving to Nottingham where he continued his studies.

Surinder moved to Rochdale in 1969 where he taught at the English Teaching Centre and Greenhill School before becoming Acting Deputy Director of Education at the Council.

He was President of the Rochdale United Volleyball Club, as well as President of the UK Friends of Kenya Cricket and brought their national team to play in Rochdale.

In 1993, he was the driving force in fundraising for the building of the Lake Bogoria Rochdale Secondary School in Loboi, Kenya, where £80,000 was raised in a day.

He has also raised significant funds for Children in Need and was honoured for his services to the community with an invitation from Prince Charles to Buckingham palace.

He represented Spotland and Falinge Ward between 2010 and 2018, and has served on several committees, including being the council’s representative on Transport for Greater Manchester. He also served as Assistant Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families and was a governor of Spotland Primary School.

Surinder served as Mayor of Rochdale between 2015 and 2016.

Read more: Mayor Making Ceremony 2015 - Councillor Surinder Biant is the new MayorPublished: 20 May 2015