Tributes to town mayor
Mar 20 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
LEADERS at a Northumberland council have paid tribute to a former leader whose funeral takes place next week.
John Herron, who was leader of Tynedale District Council between 2002 and 2007, died suddenly last Saturday aged 66.
Mr Herron, who had represented the Hexham Leazes ward since 1983, held a number of positions on the council, including chairman of the recreation and amenities and policy and resources committees, as well as being chairman of the full council.
He held key positions on a wide range of local bodies, including the Torch Centre in Hexham, where he was chairman for 10 years, the Hexham Community Partnership and the Haltwhistle Partnership, of which he was a director and trustee.
Richard Robson, chief executive of Tynedale Council, said Mr Herron would be greatly missed.
He said: “Councillors and staff at Tynedale are extremely upset and saddened by John’s untimely death.
“He was held in very high regard by everyone with whom he worked in Tynedale, across the county and region, and indeed when he represented local government at a national level.
“Our thoughts are with John’s wife Ros and his children Christopher and Sarah-Jane at this very sad time.”
As a trustee and treasurer of the Historic Hexham Trust, Mr Herron was closely involved in refurbishment of the Moot Hall and the Old Gaol Museum in the town.
Leader of Tynedale Council Michael Walton added: “John was one of life’s gentlemen.
“He achieved a huge amount in his quiet yet forceful way and always offered a sound and considered response to any issue.
“I was privileged to spend four years as his deputy, when I had a real opportunity to learn from him.
“John supported all the communities in Tynedale. Much was accomplished under his leadership and he will be sadly missed.”
In 2002 Mr Herron sat on the Northumberland County Council inquiry into the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and its effects on the rural community.
From 1983 he was a member of Hexham Town Council, holding the post of mayor for two years.
Mr Herron’s funeral will take place at St Aidan’s United Reformed Church, Hencotes, Hexham, at 1.30pm on Tuesday.
