Lasting legacy for community stalwart
FROM driving fire trucks across Africa, firing the Noon Day Gun in Hong Kong and being invited to Sandringham to measure the Duke of Edinburgh’s bottom, Councillor Graham Hibbert has certainly had a colourful life.
But for the Bollington community, Coun Hibbert will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to the town, his friendly charm, and his daily walks at the Rec with his beloved Shih tzu Penny.
Former Mayor of Bollington, Coun Graham Hibbert, died on Sunday, July 1, aged 82.
He was an active member of countless community groups, including Bollington Town Council, Bollington Probus, Bollington Discovery Centre and Bollington Civic Society.
Paying tribute, his son Pete, said: “Dad was incredibly hard working and supportive. His sense of community spirit was endless, he very much believed if you looked after the community the community will look after you , and that has come over in spades.
“We’ve really been touched by the warmth of the response from the people of Bollington, it has been incredible.
“He will be sorely missed by us all.”
Originally from Lyme Green, Coun Hibbert settled on Albert Road, in Bollington, where he and his wife Elsie lived for 48 years.
He completed his National Service with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was given a rare posting on a troop ship, on which he sailed around the world.
His work at Lomas Ambulances and with Bollington Fire Station, where he volunteered for 25 years, gave him the idea to turn Landrovers into ambulances, and led him to set up MMB International with partner Ian Woodhouse.
As a result he would be responsible for taking his specially adapted vehicles all over the globe, as well Sandringham, where he was commissioned to build a ‘shooting wagon’ for the royal household.
Pete added: “He visited so many countries, he was a real globetrotter. He had the rare honour of firing the Noon Day Gun when he went to Hong Kong, and he event went to Sandrigham to measure the Duke’s bottom for a seat.
“He and my mum went down to deliver it and the Duke gave them a two hour tour of the estate.”
Coun Hibbert, who was dad to Peter and Jane, and grandfather to Christopher, Samuel and Matthew, died at Macclesfield Hospital after contracting pneumonia.
David Naylor, clerk at Bollington Town Council, described Coun Hibbert as a ‘perfect gentleman’.
He said: “He was a very reliable member of the town council. Until recently he hardly missed any meeting, and he was very active across the whole gamut, he was on all the committees and worked very hard for the community.
“Even when he was poorly, he would ring in every day.”
Commenting on Facebook, Mike Rotheram, from Bollington Men’s Probus, said: “On behalf of Bollington Men’s Probus may I offer my sincere condolences to his family.
“He was a much valued member and he will be very sadly missed.”
Coun Hibbert also wrote a book about his extraordinary life, From Bollington to Zanzibar, which is available on Amazon.