Untimely death of Roy Bickerton

Roy was one of the oldest members of High Peak Libdems when he was sadly killed in a road accident in September, close to his home in New Mills. He was 86 and had been a Liberal/Libdem member for most of his adult life. He had been a New Mills Town councillor and a High Peak Borough Councillor where he gained the respect of all his colleagues from all parties as a sensible and hard-working man.

As well as serving in office, he walked miles delivering leaflets and knocking on doors for the Libdem cause, and served on the Executive Committee for many years.

He was extremely loyal to the party despite having a few reservations about some of our policies but remarked that no other party would suit him better.

He threw himself into the local community, giving his spare time to the local Volunteer Centre and the Heritage Centre.

In his later years he suffered a variety of health issues but even so managed to attend several local functions including the talk with Nick Clegg in Buxton in 2017. He never failed to have a sensible and balanced view of life and how it could be improved for people less fortunate than him.

As a loyal family man, Roy and his wife Audrey brought up four daughters, and from the accolades they paid him at his funeral (attended by around 150 mourners) he was clearly an ideal father - not imposing any of his views on his girls but getting to think for themselves. He was clearly also loved as a grandfather and greatgrandfather. His brother Les and one of his many friends Geoff both paid tribute to his wry sense of humour which was often shared with people around the bar in various local hostelries. He was famous for his phrase "to cut a long story short" which never quite seemed to work!

He was a staunch supporter of Manchester City Football Club (indeed had been a player himself in his younger days), rarely missing a home game until later in life, instead watching the match with one of his mates (of which he had many) who had Sky TV as Roy resolutely refused to have Sky TV and feather the nest of Rupert Murdoch - such were the principles of Roy.

On a personal note, I first met Roy when I and my husband Chris made our first home together just six doors down from Roy and his family, 47 years ago. I always thought my own father was the best man on earth, but in my view Roy Bickerton was his equal. You can't say better than that.

Remembered with love and tremendous respect.

Margaret Weaver

Treasurer, High Peak Lib Dems.