A CELEBRATION of the life and contribution to the Labour Party and the Clarke Foley Centre, of Ilkley resident, Brian Whittam, was held this week.

The event took place on Tuesday at the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley following the Ilkley Labour Party annual general meeting. Brian was the director of the Clarke Foley from 2005 to 2016 and is fondly remembered by many who work there.

Brian Whittam died aged 91 on December 6, 2020 in Airedale Hospital. His funeral took place on December 18, 2020 but due to Covid restrictions in place at that time the family was not able to follow Brian’s wishes for the services and celebrations that he and his family would have liked to take place following his death. Brian’s ashes are at St Margaret’s Church in Ilkley.

Brian was a member of the Labour Party for 70 years and stood for Parliament on three occasions. Brian is remembered by former MP Ann Cryer who is also from Darwen and she joined the celebration on Tuesday.

Ann Cryer remembers that her mum and dad were ‘great fans’ of Brian who was an active and enthusiastic Labour Party member. In 1998 Ann Cryer, as the MP for Keighley, presented Brian with honorary life membership of the Labour Party.

As the director of the Clarke Foley Centre Brian oversaw many significant improvements to the facilities there, including the addition of the Wright Wing.

Brian and his wife Mary were members of St Margaret’s Church; through the church Brian established the Thorpe Edge Project in the 1990s which gave people the chance to pass on furniture to those in need.

Their daughter, Jenny James, was able to join the celebration and she recalls how Brian’s Christianity and his Socialism were so important to him throughout his life.

The event was addressed by the last Labour MP for Keighley and Ilkley, John Grogan. The Whittam family made a generous contribution to refreshments provided.

Ilkley Labour Party Chair, Susan Fricker, said: "It has been a privilege to learn about the significant contributions Brian Whittam made to the Labour Party and to our community here in Ilkley from his daughter, Jenny James.

“I am delighted that we have been able to now gather and celebrate. His story is one of a life that was guided by ethical values and in which he gave lifelong service to the communities in which he lived. It is inspiring to hear his story."