Tributes to Barrow borough stalwart and good friend

The former Barrow Borough Council leader, mayor and Conservative borough and county councillor of more than 25 years, passed away on Sunday.

Family, friends and council chamber colleagues have been remembering the cheerful, yet tough-talking town hall personality.

Back in 2005 when Mr Richardson regained his Hawcoat seat on Cumbria County Council, he told the Evening Mail with a smile: “I am now the only Conservative Barrow councillor on the county council — but I will still make Labour feel surrounded.”

Tributes have been paid to the long-serving elected member for Hawcoat, and also Roosecote, from across the political divide.

In his own words Mr Richardson, a retired Barrow Borough Council housing manager, described himself as "determined, optimistic and loyal" in an Evening Mail pre-election article.

Mr Richardson and his wife of 55 years, Shirley, were originally from Horden, County Durham and they made Barrow their adopted home in 1983.

Mr Richardson said his favourite thing about the Barrow borough was "the people", saying "they are the most generous in the world".

He said his greatest achievement in local government was being Barrow mayor from 2000 to 2001, which he put his heart and soul into.

Mr Richardson was also a former leader of the Conservative group on Cumbria County Council and a president of the Barrow branch of the Conservative Association.

Good friend and Conservative colleague Dave Roberts, a borough and county councillor for Hawcoat said: "Jack is the reason I got into politics. He has been a good friend and mentor to me and many others.

"He was the driving force for the Conservatives here but he did have lots of friends from Labour too. Across the whole chamber he was respected.

"Jack did great things in his life and he genuinely helped a lot of people. He did work with charities but he didn't boast. He always pushed the case for Barrow and the borough.

"He was always fighting for the shipyard, jobs and encouraging new businesses to invest in the town.

"He was a servant to Barrow and the borough for a long time."

Cllr Roberts said Mr Richardson was a "total character" and a "good friend and man".

Cllr Roberts, Barrow Borough Council leader Dave Pidduck and others have said how the whole Barrow Town Hall chamber had huge respect and admiration for Mr Richardson when, despite his failing health, he attended his final two council meetings in a wheelchair last year.

Labour's Cllr Pidduck, who represents Hindpool, said it was no secret that they were on different planets politically, but they got on and shared a laugh together. He said Mr Richardson was proud to serve the area.

Cllr Pidduck said: "For all our differences in politics Jack was all about the borough and supporting it. You knew where you were with Jack, he was clever with his questions.

"There was the politics and then there was the person. He is missed in the town hall chamber and outside of it.

"I feel for Shirley and the family and we send them our condolences."

Cllr Alan Pemberton, a Conservative colleague and friend, who represents Hawcoat, said: "It was sad to hear about Jack, we send our sympathies to Shirley and the family.

"Jack was a dedicated man who committed his life to the town and borough. He will be very much missed by everyone. Jack gave me good advice when I first started."

Anne Burns, a borough and county councillor for Hindpool, remembered Mr Richardson from his days as housing manager as well as a councillor. Cllr Burns said she was sad to hear of his passing and her thoughts were with his family.

She said: "He was a cheerful and bright man and a bubbly person. I respect the hard work he put in for the community."

Friend and former Barrow councillor, Ray Guselli, said he was "one of the hardest working and most committed councillors we have had", while Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said he was one of Barrow's "most dedicated local government greats".

His loved ones remember him as a great family man who always wanted to help people and made time for others.

Mr Richardson's funeral details are still to be announced.

The Union Flag above Barrow Town Hall will fly at half mast on the day of his funeral in tribute.

Tributes paid to former Barrow mayor, who has died aged 80