TRIBUTES have been paid to a man known to many as ‘Mr Radcliffe’, who died last month.

Well in excess of 100 people attended the funeral of Bernard Slingsby, after he died at the age of 73 on October 3.

A regular on the Radcliffe Times letters page, Mr Slingsby, of Howarth Court, was renowned for passionately advocating what he believed was best for the town.

He ran as a Conservative candidate in the Radcliffe West ward in 2007 and also campaigned to stop the closure of care homes for the elderly. Recently, he helped commemorate the life of a Radcliffe sailor whose name had been left off the town's war memorial by arranging for a new bronze plaque to be attached.

His sister Eileen Slingsby said: “Bernard was the champion of Radcliffe causes. He always used brain not brawn to get his points across and continued to subscribe to opinion in the local press or, as it was once referred to as, the Slingsby Gazette.

"There isn’t time to tell all about this man with a heart as big as he was, everyone who knew him will have their own tale or two to tell and remember him by.

“Bernard’s friends spread in a wide spectrum from rich and famous to the not so rich and famous, but they were all on an equal playing field to him and he was loyal to them all.

“Bernard will be missed by his family and friends, but he will be reunited with those who have gone before him, his mam and dad, and brothers Royston, Arnold and Gordon.

"Goodbye Mr Radcliffe, God bless Bernard the loving son, brother, brother in law, uncle, great uncle and a loyal friend to all."

Having attended St Paul’s Methodist Junior School and Stand Grammar School, he first worked at an accountancy firm in Manchester, before moving on to manage the Kersal Cell restaurant in Salford, as well as Bernard's Bar and Slingsby's in Manchester.

After spells working in Devon, Blackpool, Walkden, Manchester, and Gorton, he returned to Radcliffe and worked as steward of St Mary’s RC Club until retirement.

A keen history enthusiast, Mr Slingsby was also a life member of Radcliffe Cricket Club and a lifelong Manchester United fan.

Former councillor Sam Hurst said last month: "Everybody has good things to say about Bernard. Coming from both Labour and Conservative traditions, he will be sadly missed by people across the political spectrum.

"Yet the truth is, Bernard was not really a political man. He was only ever concerned with improving the status of Radcliffe in the borough. His infectious smile and old fashioned good manners meant that he was respected by all he met."