I was saddened at the news of the death of Robert Sheldon, who had a long record of service, first as a Manchester City Councillor, then MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne, and from 2001 as Baron Sheldon of Ashton-Under-Lyne.
I knew him from my days in the Ashton-Under-Lyne Labour Party.
And one who knew him much better was John Evans, who reflected on Bob Sheldon’s long career.
“Robert (Lord) Sheldon, or Bob, as he was universally known, who has died aged 96, was Labour M.P. for Ashton-under-Lyne for 37 years from 1964.
He had a distinguished career, serving in the Wilson and Callaghan Governments as a Treasury Minister, and later as a long serving and tenacious Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Born in Manchester, he made his home in Didsbury and prior to being elected to Parliament he had been on Manchester City Council, and contested Withington in 1959.
He had also established his own textile company, having started out as an engineer. I had the privilege of being Bob’s constituency secretary for several years. Being M.P. for Ashton was no walk in the park. Like many towns in “cottonopolis” it had by the 1960s seen better days.
Bob however immediately endeared himself to the folk of Ashton and fought their corner to the end – whether it was against tyrannical employers, the insensitivities of the then DHSS, the ineptitude of the (albeit Labour Controlled) Tameside Council, which took over local government in 1974, or the plights of asylum seekers who had gravitated to Ashton from all parts of the world. [The area has a tradition of welcoming those who have been by famine, turmoil and upheaval going back two centuries].
I recollect many an encounter when on the doorstep canvassing at elections, coming across disgruntled residents who felt unhappy with their lot. “I’m going to see Bob Sheldon about this” they would intone. And see Bob they did, in their thousands over the years. His Friday advice surgeries in the Town Hall would be packed, and always over ran. I recall visiting him in his Treasury office when he was Financial Secretary to find him almost buried by that day’s post from constituents seeking his help on this and that.
My enduring memories of Bob are as someone who was very self-effacing and quite private, but also subtlety charismatic. He had a commanding and endearing presence, coupled with a measured and mellifluous intonation when speaking – whether to a meeting or in private.
I don’t think that in his years in Government that he ever really slept. He certainly very rarely took a holiday. Ashtonians have much to be thankful for in the devotion and service of Bob Sheldon.
My thoughts are with Mary, Terry , Gillian and their families".
John Evans.
Pictures, Labour Party May Dance, George Lawton Hall, Mossley, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sheldon, circa 1971, Reporter Newspaper (Photo No. 71-5-25), courtesy of Tameside, MBC, t10774,1964 Election result, Guardian, October 16th, 1964, Labour Party Poster, 1966
 |
| Mr. and Mr.s Sheldon, 1970 |
And one who knew him much better was John Evans, who reflected on Bob Sheldon’s long career.
“Robert (Lord) Sheldon, or Bob, as he was universally known, who has died aged 96, was Labour M.P. for Ashton-under-Lyne for 37 years from 1964.
He had a distinguished career, serving in the Wilson and Callaghan Governments as a Treasury Minister, and later as a long serving and tenacious Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Born in Manchester, he made his home in Didsbury and prior to being elected to Parliament he had been on Manchester City Council, and contested Withington in 1959.
 |
| Election result, 1964 |
Bob however immediately endeared himself to the folk of Ashton and fought their corner to the end – whether it was against tyrannical employers, the insensitivities of the then DHSS, the ineptitude of the (albeit Labour Controlled) Tameside Council, which took over local government in 1974, or the plights of asylum seekers who had gravitated to Ashton from all parts of the world. [The area has a tradition of welcoming those who have been by famine, turmoil and upheaval going back two centuries].
 |
| Labour election poster, 1966 |
My enduring memories of Bob are as someone who was very self-effacing and quite private, but also subtlety charismatic. He had a commanding and endearing presence, coupled with a measured and mellifluous intonation when speaking – whether to a meeting or in private.
I don’t think that in his years in Government that he ever really slept. He certainly very rarely took a holiday. Ashtonians have much to be thankful for in the devotion and service of Bob Sheldon.
My thoughts are with Mary, Terry , Gillian and their families".
John Evans.
Pictures, Labour Party May Dance, George Lawton Hall, Mossley, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sheldon, circa 1971, Reporter Newspaper (Photo No. 71-5-25), courtesy of Tameside, MBC, t10774,1964 Election result, Guardian, October 16th, 1964, Labour Party Poster, 1966
No comments:
Post a Comment