Friends praise devoted leader

Mar 17 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

WARM tributes were paid yesterday to a highly-respected Northumberland politician who died in hospital at the weekend after a short illness.

Former Tynedale District Council leader John Herron died in Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital on Saturday after suffering chest pains at home last Wednesday night.

Yesterday he was described as a man of immense dignity and great wisdom by colleagues who worked with him during his 25-year political service on the district council and Hexham Town Council.

Mr Herron, a retired accountant in his mid-60s, lived with his wife Rosalinde in Leazes Lane, Hexham. They have a son Christopher, daughter Sarah-Jane and one grandchild. He was Conservative leader of Tynedale Council for four years until losing his seat to the Liberal Democrats last year. He was also an ex-town mayor.

Recently, he was a leading light in the ultimately unsuccessful campaign by the county’s six district councils for two unitary authorities in Northumberland under local government reform. He was also a leading campaigner for dualling of the A69 west of Hexham. Mr Herron was a senior figure on Tynedale Council in the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak. He sat on the panel which conducted an inquiry into the outbreak. He was a trustee for the Citizens Advice Bureau and Henry Bell charitable trust. He was also a member of the town’s St Aidan’s United Reformed Church. He and his wife celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year

It is understood Mr Herron was taken to hospital with a suspected heart attack after a Hexham meeting about local government reform.

Michael Walton, who succeeded him as Tynedale Council leader last year, said: “John was one of nature’s gentlemen. He had an immense dignity and represented Tynedale all over the North and nationally. I learned a lot from him during my four years as his deputy and was shellshocked to hear he had died. He was held in high regard across the North East.”

Council vice-chairman Brian Massey said: “In politics he was always very courteous and polite and I don’t ever remember him losing his temper.”

Hexham Mayor JB Jonas said: “This is a very great loss to the people of both Hexham and Tynedale because John was a very wise man.” Deputy Mayor Terry Robson said: “John was a hugely respected member of the community and the commitment he gave to the town and district was immense.”