Former correspondent Fred dies aged 88

FORMER Chronicle reporter Fred Bottomley holds an exhibition of his paintings at Gallery Oldham

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

FRED Bottomley, the former Chronicle industrial correspondent and lifelong artist, has died, at the age of 88.

Mr Bottomley, who lived in Lees, had a series of successful exhibitions of his work which ranged from watercolours to oils and covered a whole variety of subjects.

An accomplished draughtsman and painter, studying at Oldham School of Art and the Regional College of Art in Manchester, his post-war journalistic career included work for the Manchester Guardian-based textile trade papers.

He was later executive editor of trade and popular journals published by Hartshead Publications and marketing manager for overseas publications represented in the UK by John Worrall Ltd, Oldham.

Fred had many strings to his bow ­- he was a regular contributor to field-sport journals and would also submit classical music reviews.

He spent 25 years as the Chronicle's industrial correspondent before retiring to pursue his love of all things art in 1992.

Amongst the thousands of interviews and articles written, Fred once penned a story under the headline "The rot advances in Lancashire textiles" where he drew parallels between the industries in the UK and USA.

The article was subsequently distributed in both Houses of Parliament as the spearhead of a campaign to save the industry.

The funeral will take place on Friday, August 11 (2pm) at Oldham Crematorium and afterwards at Lees, Royal British Legion.