Tributes paid to caring councillor

FORMER councillor Peter Jepson

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former councillor who served Oldham during the 1970s.

Peter Jepson, who represented Royton and Crompton on Oldham Council, has died aged 66.

Peter had suffered from Tuberculosis (TB) since last October but it was after contracting pneumonia earlier this month that he sadly lost his life.

Brother Gerard Jepson, from Oldham, said: "We thought he was getting better so it came as a shock.

"We used to do a lot together - we shared an interest in football and music.

"He always helped people in his role as councillor and I'm proud that he still found time to look after us as a family.

"Peter always supported me and my brother, who are both registered blind."

Peter first entered public life in 1971 and became one of the youngest council candidates in the country when he stood aged just 21.

He was elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor on Oldham Council aged 22 but later served as a Labour councillor in Tameside.

He was once fined £20 for taking the independent decision to cover over a road sign with his own home-made sign diverting traffic from Oldham away from Royton town centre.

Gerard said: "He was forceful. If he believed in something he would do his best to get it done.

"He wouldn't give up."

Peter left school with no O or A-levels but was later awarded a masters degree in law after studying for a PhD.

The one-time Our Lady's School, Royton, pupil married wife Katrina in September 1975 at St Gregory's Church, in Chorley - Katrina's home town - and the two lived in Royton before moving to Droylsden a year later where Peter ran a grocery business.

The couple then moved to Mossley where Katrina (60) worked with the elderly and later to Surrey where they lived for the last 20 years.

Peter died on March 11, within 24 hours of contracting pneumonia.

He leaves behind his wife Katrina, daughter Janine, siblings Gerard, Michael and Angela, and three grandchildren.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday at Oldham Crematorium at noon.