‘Gentleman Jim’ was a true man of the people

POPULAR COUNCILLOR DIES, AGED 74, AFTER CANCER BATTLE

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular councillor following his death from cancer aged 74.

Jim Blagden, known as “Gentleman Jim” was a councillor for Hucknall Central on Ashfield District Council. He was also chairman of the Ashfield Independents.

He recently spearheaded the council’s response to Covid-19 and was assistant cabinet member for corporate communications and environmental improvements.

Mr Blagden lost his battle in the early hours of Sunday. He leaves his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Sheila, his beloved family and his residents of Hucknall.

Mr Blagden, a former master bricklayer, St John’s Ambulance First Aid instructor and a former caretaker at Hucknall’s Spring Street School, in Ogle Street, had the all clear from leukaemia earlier this year, but the cancer returned.

Speaking earlier this year after getting the all clear, Mr Blagden said: “When I received the leukaemia diagnosis – I had to think of my family and what they’d already gone through with the sad death of our grandson.

“I never told a single constituent I had cancer – they had their problems and it was my job to deal with their problems – not for me to burden them with mine.

“When I rang that bell, I rang it for Sheila. After all these years of marriage, we’re still like teenagers.

“I rang it for my family who had suffered enough from cancer issues.

“I rang it for my grandson Aeron. I rang it for every patient who is still going through the cancer journey. I rang it for the people of Hucknall.”

Mr Blagden’s son, Calvin Blagden, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “Dad was a wonderful father and grandfather. We are so sorry that he has lost his fight. He was the rock of our family and will be sorely missed by everyone.

“Jim was a principled man – someone who fought all his life for not just his family but for everybody in Hucknall.

“Dad was a man for the people of Hucknall. He worked so hard for them.

“Whether that be the children at Spring Street School, people who he looked after when he was on ambulance duty, or the people he represented as a councillor.

“He always felt that he had to earn the right to represent his neighbours in Hucknall. He never felt he had a divine right to be a councillor. He felt privileged to represent Hucknall. Hucknall will be a poorer place for dad’s passing.”

Ashfield Council leader, Jason Zadrozny, said: “Jim was an inspiration. When he told me he’d been diagnosed with cancer his first thought was for Sheila, his family and for the residents of Hucknall. Jim had drive and determination and fought for the town he was proud to represent. “During Covid, it’s no exaggeration that his work saved lives. He fought and delivered a vaccination centre at Rolls Royce Leisure, hand sanitisers in council-run car parks, and helped dozens of Hucknall businesses survive through the pandemic. My thoughts go out to Sheila and the family.”

Mr Blagden was a Nottingham Forest season ticket holder and in his spare time was a prolific artist, painting dozens of watercolours from his Hucknall home.

He was battling until recently to try and secure regeneration money for Hucknall, for a new swimming pool and other improvements at Hucknall Leisure Centre which will be completed in April, and for more events in Hucknall such as the Food and Drink Festival.

Jim fought for the town he was proud to represent ... During Covid, it’s no exaggeration that his work saved lives.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny