Tributes paid to former Longridge mayor

Ian Taylor was elected to Longridge Town Council in the 1970s and was twice mayor during his 12 years in office. He also served on Ribble Valley Borough Council from 1976 to 1981.

Very well known in local business circles, he ran the joint family firm of Taylor and Russell in Longridge until its closure following his diagnosis with cancer in 2011.

Born in Plymouth and the eldest of four children, Mr Taylor moved with his family to Lancashire where his father George formed structural engineers and steel manufacturers Taylor and Russell with Bill Russell, father of Ian’s eventual business partner, John Russell.

Education for Ian Taylor was through Longridge CE primary and Clitheroe Royal Grammar schools.

He then studied structural engineering at the Harris Technical College before going into Taylor and Russell.

“He always wanted to be a farmer,” recalled his wife Pamela, originally from Woodplumpton.

“But he then loved being in the factory, ‘in the mix’ so to speak, and he was always busy with his council work and with the many interests he had in and around the town.”

She recalled his presidencies of the Goosnargh and Longridge Agricultural Show Society and St John Ambulance Brigade, he was chairman of governors at Berry Lane and Longridge High schools, chairman of Longridge Tradesman’s Association and member of a number of Freemason Lodges. He also loved working on his allotment near the Old Oak and enjoying a drink with friends at the pub.

Mr Taylor is survived his wife, children Joy and Benjamin, his brother Duncan and his sisters June and Judith.

His funeral was held last Friday at St Lawrence’s Church in Longridge.