Former Mayoress Eileen Leather dies

Former Mayoress Eileen Leather has died.

Mrs Leather died on Thursday (30 January) in hospital after being admitted two weeks prior due to ill health.

She was the Mayoress of Rochdale between 2000 and 2001 when her husband, Brian Leather, took on the role as Mayor.

Councillor Allen Brett, who worked alongside Brian and Eileen as part of Brian’s fundraising committee, said: “They were a lovely couple and Brian did a lot of work for the borough. When they were Mayor and Mayoress they raised a lot of money. Eileen was always by Brian’s side ready to help him.”

It is understood that it was Mrs Leather’s wish was to have her funeral in Rochdale, but as of yet, no information is available.

The flag outside of the Town Hall has been at half-mast throughout the day.