‘Passionately political’ ex-councillor dies, aged 72

7:21am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Local

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Bolton councillor who devoted his life to public service.

Former Farnworth and Breightmet councillor Peter Johnston died from pneumonia last Thursday, March 14, at the age of 72.

A regular contributor to The Bolton News’ letters pages, he served as a Labour councillor in Farnworth between 1980 and 2002, before which he was a councillor in the old Farnworth South ward from 1979 to 1980 and the old Darcy Lever and Breightmet ward from 1973 to 1975.

His son, Edmund Johnston, aged 35, of Ainsworth Avenue, Horwich, said: “My father was a warm, loving and cheerfully awkward man, with forceful opinions and strong principles.

“He remained passionately political to the end, long after losing his council seat.

“He took great pleasure in life, above all from music, but also from good company, good food and single malt whisky.

“We miss him very much.”

Farnworth councillor Noel Spencer paid tribute to Mr Johnston for his contribution to public life in the borough.

He said: “Peter was on the council for many years and became very much involved with housing and public transport — he was the chairman of the old housing committee.

“He was quite an intellect and an orator.

“He was outspoken on issues he had strong views on.

He’ll be a big loss — he devoted his life to public service.”

Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris also paid tribute to Mr Johnston.

He said: “Peter worked as a councillor for 20 years and served extremely well.

“He was a great colleague and he will be sadly missed. His great passion was transport.”

Bernadette Gallagher, the Bolton Unison branch secretary, said: “Although I certainly had my differences with Peter over the years he was a very good chairman of the personnel sub-committee.

He had a deep commitment to working with the trade unions and will be sadly missed.”

Mr Johnston leaves his son, two grandchildren Jacob and Hannah, and his partner Margaret Clare.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 11am in the Friends’ Meeting House, in Silverwell Street, Bolton. He will be given a woodland burial in his hometown, Carlisle, on April 2.

Comments (6)

8:42am Fri 22 Mar 13

Bob Shaftoe says...

A sad loss indeed. Personally, I always looked forward to reading Peter's letters in the BN, I may not have agreed with some of his political views but when it came to writing on transport matters especially railways he was a mine of information and usually bang on the button. RIP
A sad loss indeed. Personally, I always looked forward to reading Peter's letters in the BN, I may not have agreed with some of his political views but when it came to writing on transport matters especially railways he was a mine of information and usually bang on the button. RIP Bob Shaftoe

9:44am Fri 22 Mar 13

William2701 says...

Bob Shaftoe wrote:
A sad loss indeed. Personally, I always looked forward to reading Peter's letters in the BN, I may not have agreed with some of his political views but when it came to writing on transport matters especially railways he was a mine of information and usually bang on the button. RIP
I know that for many years Peter worked for what was then GMPTE, now Transport for Greater Manchester. Whether he worked in the transport sector prior to that I do not know, but I agree with Bob Shaftoe that when it came to the railways he was bang on and on many occasions disagreed with the policies of ALL political parties.
[quote][p][bold]Bob Shaftoe[/bold] wrote: A sad loss indeed. Personally, I always looked forward to reading Peter's letters in the BN, I may not have agreed with some of his political views but when it came to writing on transport matters especially railways he was a mine of information and usually bang on the button. RIP[/p][/quote]I know that for many years Peter worked for what was then GMPTE, now Transport for Greater Manchester. Whether he worked in the transport sector prior to that I do not know, but I agree with Bob Shaftoe that when it came to the railways he was bang on and on many occasions disagreed with the policies of ALL political parties. William2701

9:55am Fri 22 Mar 13

oftbewildered2 says...

not many like him left - coldolences to his family. He was not frightened to state his case. I had a great deal of respect for him.
not many like him left - coldolences to his family. He was not frightened to state his case. I had a great deal of respect for him. oftbewildered2

11:52am Fri 22 Mar 13

cliff4treasurer says...

I knew Peter from my time working for the local authority and a fairer man you couldn't meet who had no time for favouritism.When he chaired appeals panels or disciplinary panels management where terriffied of not getting there case right.
He always came down on the side of what was right not what was politicaly correct etc
He will be missed and was missed as there are sadly not many like him left on the council thats for sure.
I knew Peter from my time working for the local authority and a fairer man you couldn't meet who had no time for favouritism.When he chaired appeals panels or disciplinary panels management where terriffied of not getting there case right. He always came down on the side of what was right not what was politicaly correct etc He will be missed and was missed as there are sadly not many like him left on the council thats for sure. cliff4treasurer

12:41pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Tom Hanley says...

I could always tell a letter written by Peter after one or two paragraphs. Clear, forceful - sometimes pompous! - but always well-informed and carrying conviction. I remember him showing similar qualities in conversation, and when he was a member of Bolton Education Committee (those were the days when a little democracy crept into local govt, and even trade union representation was tolerated).Peter wasn't always right, but he was always clear,principled and more than occasionally very witty.His presence would have enhanced the quality of debate on Bolton Council if he had remained (though that would not be difficult), and I am very sorry to hear of his death.
I could always tell a letter written by Peter after one or two paragraphs. Clear, forceful - sometimes pompous! - but always well-informed and carrying conviction. I remember him showing similar qualities in conversation, and when he was a member of Bolton Education Committee (those were the days when a little democracy crept into local govt, and even trade union representation was tolerated).Peter wasn't always right, but he was always clear,principled and more than occasionally very witty.His presence would have enhanced the quality of debate on Bolton Council if he had remained (though that would not be difficult), and I am very sorry to hear of his death. Tom Hanley

9:11pm Sat 23 Mar 13

Hulton Park says...

A man who said what he thought and actually appeared to stand for something more than just ensuring he kept his seat, unlike most politicians of all hues nowadays. RIP.
A man who said what he thought and actually appeared to stand for something more than just ensuring he kept his seat, unlike most politicians of all hues nowadays. RIP. Hulton Park

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