A special day for stalwart Harry
A long serving county and borough councillor, and a former Mayor of Todmorden, Harry Tootell has celebrated his 90th birthday. Mr Tootell marked the occasion with a meal at Wyke with his family, including his wife Joy, and they are holding an open house for friends to call in and give Harry their best wishes between 2pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, April 25, at the community room at Roomfield House, Todmorden, their home.
Harry’s roots were in Rochdale but he settled in Todmorden after he and Joy married in 1945 - they are due to celebrate their platinum wedding shortly and for many years ran the H. J. King ironmongers’ business in the town.
Harry was elected to the former Todmorden Borough Council in the late 1950s and he and Joy were Mayor and Mayoress in 1965-66.
Following the reorganisation of local councils in 1974 Harry was elected to Calderdale Council for four years. He still continued on Todmorden Town Council and was also elected to the West Yorkshire County Council for four years.
Harry was a member of Todmorden Chamber of Trade for many years and is a former president of Todmorden Rotary Club and a former member of Todmorden Round Table.
He and Joy were involved in organisations including the scouts and Todmorden Town Twinning Association.
Harry also regularly entertained with his table magic, leaving many pondering “how did he do that?”