Shock at death of ‘people’s champ’
Tributes come flooding in from devastated community
TRIBUTES have been paid following the sudden death of a councillor described as ‘a great champion for local people’.
Stacksteads councillor Terry Haslam-Jones passed away on Thursday, March 11, aged 76.
The ex-headmaster was a church deacon at Acre Mill Baptist Church, a tenor with Rossendale Male Voice Choir, and treasurer of Stacksteads Countryside Park Group (SCPG), Whitewell Bottom Community Association, and Bacup & Stacksteads Carnival Organisation (BASCO).
Ward colleague and SCPG trustee Jackie Oakes said she had known ‘determinedly apolitical’ Terry, elected as an Independent councillor in 2019 with a resounding 54.4pc of the vote, for more than 20 years.
She said: “It’s just very sad. He was a really good person and so many people within the local community have been helped by him - either in a formal or an informal way.
“So many people will miss him. He was my colleague as a councillor, but had been a friend since I came to live in Stacksteads.” Simon Creasey, chair of trustees at Whitewell Bottom CIO, said he would be ‘sorely missed’ by everyone at the community centre.
“Not only was Terry our treasurer/trustee but a friend to all, and his many volunteer projects were renowned throughout the Rossendale valley,” he said.
“Terry had a heart of gold and often made us laugh by lifting our spirits, particularly during these difficult last 12 months during Covid on our fortnightly zoom calls where we’ve all needed a little bit more laughter. Terry contributed so much during his time at the community centre.”
Catherine Smyth, chairman of BASCO, said Terry’s death was “a complete shock”.
“He was treasurer of BASCO for many years and was always meticulous and methodical. Even though he had church commitments on Carnival Sunday, he would always attend the park after the service and be our ‘last minute’ litter picker,” she said.
“Mostly though, he was a very good friend who had a huge heart. He always had time for people and always had a tale to tell.”
A message on the Acre Mill Baptist Church Facebook page said they had lost a “dear friend”, adding: “Terry was a much loved, committed member of Acre Mill Baptist Church who will be missed among his church family.”
Council leader Alyson Barnes said: “Terry was a well liked and respected local councillor and was also a good friend to many council members. Our thoughts, prayers and love go to his family, who are devastated by this news.”
Coun Peter Steen sent his deep sympathies on behalf of the Conservative group.
He said: “He will be a great loss, not only to the community but to local politics. He was a voice of reason and common sense and kept us in check now and then, and stopped people getting carried away.”
Council chief executive Neil Shaw said: “Terry was a great champion for local people.
“He was passionate about helping people and a great advocate for communities. I found him to be a thoroughly lovely man with a great sense of humour.”
Husband of Pamela, Terry leaves children Timothy, Joanne and Peter, and three grandchildren. A war baby and a dual US/UK citizen, he had a huge extended family in the USA, especially in Wisconsin and Michigan.
As well as family history research, his great loves included singing and playing guitar.
Daughter Joanne Haslam, speaking on behalf of all his children, said the cause of death was unconfirmed at this stage.
She said: “We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of our clever, funny, talented and kind Dad.
“We are so proud of him and are mindful that we share this loss with so many others in the community, especially with our extended family and friends at Acre Mill Baptist Church. We send our love and thoughts to everyone in the community he served.”
Terry’s wife Pamela said he was their ‘rock and steady anchor’.
She added: “We would like to send our sincere thanks for all the love, messages of sympathy, cards and flowers.
“Terry’s life was all about helping others and being busy in the community. He couldn’t sit still for long.
“He loved being a headteacher and remembered all his pupils. He was a man of great faith and he lived this out in his service to others.” The funeral will be held on Friday, March 26 at Acre Mill Baptist Church.
A celebration of his life is being planned for later in the year to include the wider community.