Focus on Bamford: Councillors

This month (January) Rochdale Online is focusing on Norden and Bamford.

Reporter Laura Wild caught up with Bamford Councillors to find out a little bit more about why the people representing the area became a Councillor, what they enjoy about their role and what they do in their spare time…

Councillor Jane Gartside has been as Councillor for 27 years. Councillor Gartside became a Councillor because she was asked by the Leader of the Council at the time, Edwards Collins.

After 27 years Councillor Gartside still very much enjoys her role, she said: “There is something different every day. It is varied. Some things come round again but on the whole you get a lot of variety each year.

“I have two highlights, the first is when I was Mayor and the second was when I spend four years as the chairwoman of social services.”

Councillor Gartside said her colleagues have kept her going, she said: “My colleagues provide a lot of interest and that makes a huge difference. It wouldn’t be fun doing it alone; with colleagues it is fun and interesting and often very up and down but, on the whole, support from colleagues makes a difference. You also learn to appreciate other groups and get to know them.”

In her spare time Councillor Gartside enjoys reading, going to theatre, swimming and occasionally playing golf. She is also keen to spend time with her family, in particular her grandchildren.

Councillor Ian Duckworth, 62, has been a Councillor on and off for 11 years.

Councillor Duckworth, explains why he decided to become a Councillor, “On returning to Rochdale from the army in 1988, I didn’t like the way our town was going. I began to help Councillor Arnold Bagnall out in Balderstone. Arnold, who was a lifelong friend of the family, asked me to stand for the Conservatives in Balderstone in 1992, and to everyone’s amazement, including mine, I won.”

Councillor Duckworth enjoys helping people, he said: “It is wonderful to make a difference and to think if it wasn’t for me something wouldn’t have got done.”

He said being a Councillor can be “really rewarding,” and “awfully frustrating.”

Councillor Duckworth continued: “One of my highlights was supporting local people in their fight against a proposed golf driving range on Springfield Park.

“I know from personal experience, the depth of talent, ability and determination of what are patronisingly called “ordinary people.” Politicians should take them on at their peril.”

Councillor Duckworth describes himself as a “broad brushstroke person.”

He said: “I can handle detail, but I’m not a lover of poring over statistics. I believe this helps me see the big picture, when others can’t see the wood for the trees. The good thing about the Conservative Group on Council is the variety of experience and talent, which makes the whole greater than its parts.”

Councillor Duckworth has been married for 31 years; he has two daughters and a son.

When asked about hobbies, Councillor Duckworth said: “I used to enjoy art and I’m determined to actually use my water colours some day. When the phone stops ringing!”

So, what is this Councillor’s favourite thing about Bamford? “My favourite thing about Bamford ward is its diversity. The ward comprises, Bamford, Brimrod, Marland, Oakenrod and Sudden.

“Those who know these areas will realise the great differences of one part from another. But that gives me such a variety of different casework; it increases my knowledge and keeps me on my toes.”

Councillor Andrew Abbott, was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.