TRIBUTES have been paid to “the people’s councillor” – the late Ted Lafferty – ahead of his funeral, which takes place at Thelwall Parish Church on Thursday (April 24) at 1.30pm.
A minute’s silence was observed at a meeting of the borough council and members of the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour groups put aside their political difference to speak movingly of the long-standing Grappenhall and Thelwall councillor.
Coun Lafferty (pictured) was first elected to the borough council in May 1987 and has also been a member of Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council for more than a quarter of a century.
He was the first Liberal Democrat Mayor of Warrington in in 2004-05. He remained an active councillor to the end, attending the previous meeting of the council on March 3.
During his year of office he and his wife, Pat, who was Mayoress, raised nearly £30,000 for charity through the Mayor’s charity appeal.
Leader of the council Ian Marks said Coun Lafferty had appeared to know almost everyone in Warrington.
He predicted that Thelwall Church would be packed for the funeral service, with some mourners forced to stand outside.
Three other borough councillors are standing down at the May 1 elections and the council has thanked Coun John Morris, Coun Maureen Banner and Coun Ann Haddow for their services.
