Much-loved father and councillor dies

The daughter of a well-known Warsop councillor who died on Thursday has said politics was his passion.

Brian Smith, who served as a county councillor for Warsop between 1987 and 2005, passed away peacefully in his sleep after suffering from miner’s disease, pneumoconiosis.

The 83-year-old great grandfather of 12 was diagnosed with the condition about five years ago but his health had deteriorated over the last month.

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His daughter, Sue Guy (63), of Little John Avenue, Warsop, said Mr Smith loved resolving problems for constituents.

She added: “He was interested in how things were run and was a very clever man.

“And he was a brilliant father - you could not have wished for a better one. Even at the age of 70 he would play football and cricket with grandchildren as if he was a ten-year-old.

“He also loved walking. My sister’s dog, Ben, was his best friend.”

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The father of five girls, who lived on Warsop’s Friar lane until his death, started working life at Nottingham’s Victoria Hotel aged 14.

He served five years in the Air Force from the age of 17, during which time he was posted at Suez, Egypt, and it was while serving that he met his wife, Margaret.

The pair were married at Marelybone Register Office in May, 1950.

After leaving the Air Force Brian started work at Welbeck Colliery, where he would go on to become a representative for the National Union of Mineworkers.

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While at Welbeck Colliery Mr Smith studied politics and economics in Nottingham, then went on to become chairman at Warsop Urban District Council, aged 28.

The much-loved dad later became Nottinghamshire County Councillor for Warsop during a by-election in 1987.

Mr Smith was also chief whip for the ruling Labour party between 2001-2005. He retired from politics in 2005.

Grandson, Chris Guy, also of Friar Lane, served with his grandfather at one time on Hetts Lane Infant School board of governors.

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Said Chris: “He was very to-the-point and matter-of-fact about work matters but could not be more different as a family bloke.”

As well as his children and extended family, Mr Smith is survived by his wife, Margaret (86).

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