Funeral of Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin's coffin arrives at at Salford Cathedral

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Family, friends and colleagues paid their final respects to Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin this afternoon (Saturday 20 September) as he was laid to rest.

A Requiem mass celebrating the life of Mr Dobbin was held at Salford Cathedral at 12pm today with Labour Leader Ed Miliband, Lord John Prescott, Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow and the Right Honourable Lindsay Hoyle MP amongst those in attendance.

Local councillors were also amongst the mourners including Leader of Rochdale Council Councillor Richard Farnell, Councillor Colin Lambert and Councillor Ashley Dearnely.

Led by Principal Celebrant The Right Reverend Terence Brain, Bishop of Salford, the service paid tribute to the much loved MP and saw family and colleagues give readings and share fond memories of Mr Dobbin.

Hymns including Walk With Me O My Lord, This Is My Body and The Spirit Comes To Set Us Free were sang as well as readings from Prophet Isaiah – read by The Honourable David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East and Psalm 23 – read by The Right Honourable Ed Miliband.

Lord John Prescott and the Right Honourable Lindsay Hoyle MP also gave eulogies at the service.

After the service, which was described as “very touching”, Mr Dobbin was taken to Rochdale Cemetery for a private burial.

Arriving back in Rochdale at around 3:15pm, followed by friends and family, Mr Dobbin was laid to rest in a private ceremony.

Following the burial, guests were invited for refreshments at Rochdale Town Hall.

Mr Dobbin died at the age of 73 two weeks ago whilst on a trip to Poland.

He was the MP for Heywood and Middleton and had been in the Commons since 1997.