Noel thanked after farewell to council role
TRIBUTES have been paid to a retiring West Lancashire councillor and former mayor who has been a leading member of the borough’s licensing and gambling committee for years – and who has a love of horse racing in his leisure time.
Labour Coun Noel Delaney, aged 79, an Ormskirk councillor, was thanked by council staff at his final meeting of the West Lancashire Licensing & Gambling Sub-Committee (May 3).
Officers praised his leadership and patience as chairman in licensing committee meetings, which can be lengthy and called at short notice.
In his leisure time, Irish-born Coun Delaney takes a keen interest in race horses and courses, with Chester being one of his favourite spots. He also plays darts at Ormskirk Rugby Club.
He moved from Dublin to Burscough as a boy in the 1950s. Over the years, he worked in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk in the gas industry, then at a high school and then a registry office.
For the first time in many years, he plans to spend this year’s local election day, May 5, watching horses at Chester Races rather than knocking on doors to encourage people to vote. But he remains committed to local politics and has been busy leafleting homes and helping with other election activity recently.
Speaking this week at the end of his final licensing meeting,
Coun Delaney said: “I am retiring after five years on the Licensing & Gambling Committee and after 12 years as a councillor.
“I want to thank Kay Lovelady, Michaela Murray, Kirsty Breakell, Adam Smith and Sam Jordan, and all the other council officers who have helped me over the years. It was fantastic to work with you and I will miss you all.”
Kay Lovelady, the borough’s legal and democratic services manager, said: “On behalf of all the officers, I want to thank you for all the work you have put into this committee.
“You have led us with strong leadership. You left us for a year when you became the mayor but we pleaded with you to come back after, which you did.
“We wish you all the best for your retirement. Noel, you have been a really good chairman. We had to say something today, on your final day with the committee.”
After the meeting, Coun Delaney spoke further about his life, political retirement and passion for horse racing. Born in Dublin, he moved to England as an 11-year-old boy in the 1950s and grew up in Burscough.
He said: “In Ireland during the ‘50s, most lads left school at the age of 14. Many then had to move abroad to find work, staying with family, relatives or friends.
“There were six lads in my family, My brother was living in Burscough at the time and that’s where I moved too.”
He worked for the former North
West Gas Board, based in Skelmersdale, for 15 years.
Other employment included being caretaker at St Bede RC High School in Ormskirk and a hall superintendent at Ormskirk Registry Office for many years.
He is well-known in the area and went out leafleting in Ormskirk straight after the licensing committee meeting.
On horse racing, he said he has a few shares in horses. One of his favourite horses of all time was Captain Dunne, a sprinter named after former Manchester City, Everton and Republic of Ireland footballer Richard Dunne.
He recalled: “Captain Dunne was a great horse. He won the ‘Epsom Dash’ on Derby day in June 2011, with odds of 13-2. It was a great day.”
Looking ahead to his retirement from being a councillor, Coun Delaney said: “My ward [Scott ward in Ormskirk] is quite a busy ward.
“There’s never a day goes by without a phone call about something. But I’ve enjoyed it.
“It’s important to get involved with local politics. Councillors do a lot of good work and there are many good things going on in the community too.
“I’ve got great respect for many people and organisations. I also enjoyed being mayor for a year, which was a real privilege.”
But he added: “This election day, I hope to be at Chester Races. The council and Labour Party will have to do without me!”