TRIBUTES have been paid to two former councillors who served the town for decades.

Cllr Jim Crockatt, regarded as the ‘father’ of Wilmslow Town Council, and Cllr Adrian Bradley were remembered at services on Tuesday, May 15.

The pair had both served in the former Macclesfield Borough Council (MBC) and been made alderman at Cheshire East Council, before serving as town councillors from 2011 to 2015.

Cllr Martin Watkins, chairman of Wilmslow Town Council, spoke warmly of two men who were ‘only too happy to give advice’ following a meeting on Monday, May 15.

“Jim Crockatt has been a longstanding local politician for many good years,” he told the Guardian.

“During his time he was looking to re-establish Wilmslow Town Council, from what used to be known as the Wilmslow Urban District Council, which closed in 1974.

“He was successful in doing that. He was very keen to get things up and running, and he was chairman for the first two years of this council’s life, serving well into his 90s.

“He was a friend to an awful lot of people, well known for his work in the Wilmslow Aid Trust.

"He was a lovely guy and as sharp and bright as a button, he is really missed.”

Cllr Crockatt died aged 94, just three months following the death of his wife Ina in January.

His fellow political friend and one-time opponent, Cllr Bradley, died aged 78 on Tuesday, May 2 at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Cllr Bradley was married to Margaret, a former councillor for Morley and Styal, for 54 years.

“Adrian had a slightly different career,” Cllr Watkins said.

“He was the leader of the Liberal Democrats at MBC before he crossed the floor and became a Conservative.

“Well known in the local community, he did a lot of work with the Poppy Appeal, and you’d often see him around collecting and marching on Remembrance Sunday in his distinctive blue hat.

“He was also the chairman of Wilmslow Aid Trust, and there are a good few people in our community who would thank him for all the efforts he put in for them.”