Tributes for Bernard Jackson – a “selfless and dedicated” community man

Tributes have flooded in for Bernard Jackson, a “selfless and dedicated” member of the Littleborough community, after died aged 91.

Mr Jackson was a founder of the Littleborough Coach House and played an integral part in community work in the Littleborough area.

People gathered yesterday (Wednesday 20 April) for the funeral of Mr Jackson to pay their respects to a man who worked diligently for local people.

Born in Littleborough, Mr Jackson attended the former Littleborough Central School, leaving at 14 to start an apprenticeship in engineering.

Having lived for a large part of his life on Birch Road, he was heavily involved with the restoration of the coach house on Lodge Street. After some hard work and fundraising, the building is now a popular and well known community centre.

Mark Pearson, who has been the Coach House secretary for five years, said: “Although I didn’t know Bernard as closely as some members of the coach house, I know one thing about him, and that is he was a selfless man, always thinking of other people.

“He was always the one thinking up new ways to make money for the house and was the first person to be stood at the door with a bucket. He was always smiling and always happy, and because of this I didn’t realise how old he was.

“He was one of those people who nobody could ever say a negative word about. He was a genuinely happy and lovely man.”

Coach House Chairman John Parker described Mr Jackson as a “dedicated community man”. He said: “Bernard was always involved with the planning and organisation of the old industrial units and he really had his heart in the community.

“He played an active role in many things and was usually present at the fundraising committee meetings. He would come in sometimes with bags full of gifts to use in the raffles, and they were good quality gifts too. He cared deeply about the coach house.”

Mr Jackson was also involved with the Littleborough Arts Festival, and was made an honorary president of the committee in 2015.

He raised funds for the Springhill Hospice and also was made a president of Roch Valley Probus Club.

Mr Jackson died peacefully on 25 March.