Tributes paid to News political stalwart
MR SCOTT MBE LEFT ‘INDELIBLE’ MARK ON COMMUNITY
MOVING tributes have been paid to a Northumberland community stalwart who has died at the age of 79.
Mick Scott, of Bedlington, passed away last week after an illness.
Mr Scott, who was awarded an MBE in 1992 for political service, helped to organise the Bedlington Fair for many years and was well known in the area.
He was born in Bradford but moved to Embleton, Northumberland, where he spent his formative years.
He left school at the age of 14 to take an apprentice greenkeeper job at Dunstanburgh Golf Club, just outside Embleton, only to be made head greenkeeper two days later because his predecessor fell ill.
Mr Scott lived in Embleton until he was around 22 and moved to London after his parents died. He worked for the London Underground in charge of ordering supplies for various Tube stations that were being created.
In London, he met his future wife, Evelyn, and after their marriage, they lived in Enfield for a number of years before deciding to move to Northumberland.
They lived in Woburn Drive, Bedlington, for around 30 years and during this time Mr Scott worked for British Rail. He later had to retire on health grounds. For many years, the couple were involved in organising the Bedlington Fair. Eve, who died in 2008, was the secretary in charge of all of the arrangements, while her husband brought all the plans to life.
Mr Scott was also a well respected gardener and especially gifted at growing pelargoniums and geraniums. He was heavily involved with the Pelargonium and Geranium society, and he continued to be involved until the year before his death.
In addition, politics was always a big part of his life – he became a member of the Conservative Party when he was 17.
Rachel Moore, a friend of 15 years, said: “Mick was an amazing man. He was such a special person. He taught me so much, he was like my dad, and he was loved by so many people.
“I was privileged to know him. He was my best friend and he has left a huge hole in my life – but he leaves a more indelible mark on the town of Bedlington, the Conservative Party and the Pelargonium Society.”
His funeral will be held on August 21, at 1.45pm, in Bedlington Station Methodist Church, followed by a gathering at Blyth Crematorium.