Tribute to a man who worked to unite people

I dont spend a penny .... cant be bothered with paying to watch 22 overpaid drama queens kicking a bag of wind about George Soros, financier, Michael Brunson, political broadcaster, Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits singer/guitarist, Tanita Tikaram singer/songwriter, Pete Sampras tennis legend, Casey Affleck, actor, Djibril Cisse, footballer, Mario Balotelli, footballer, THE day that Mr Farzand Ali Khan MBE passed away was a very sad one for Huddersfield.

Mr Khan was born in Pakistan and moved to Huddersfield in the early 1960s.

Since then he involved himself deeply in the life of the town.

Mr Khan had been a member of many voluntary, community and statutory organisations locally and regionally.

For many years he was a board member of Kirklees Racial Equality Council.

He was also union Shop Steward at the Yorkshire Rider bus company, compiling duties and rosters as well negotiating with management. I was union secretary there.

He single-handedly collected the money from the community and bought a property which is Pakistan Association Huddersfield Centre at Thornton Lodge.

He worked very hard to create community cohesion and improve the quality of life for the residents of Huddersfield.

Many years ago he was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for his community work.

I knew him for the last 40 years and have never met anybody like him.

He was a principled, decent and caring person who stood up for what he believed.

He was a very kind and warmhearted man who would do anything to help anybody.

His death is tragic loss. My heart goes out to his family.

He was a unique person who will be badly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. I WAS recently watching an antique programme on TV on which was a clockwork toy and a rocking horse which were both from the 50s and had high valuation prices.

When I was a child in the Midlands I can recall having a rocking horse and clockwork beetle similar to the one on the TV show.

I played with both of them quite a lot when I had to stay indoors due to wet weather.

I think young children these days would have great pleasure in toys like these and yet for some reason they don’t make them now.

I think if we go back in time and look at the enjoyment they gave us as children it would be the same for the present generation it they were available again.