Derek Addy - 'Mr Spotland' - dies aged 84

Three generations of Addys - Joseph, Derek and Jason

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Derek Addy, a well-known and popular local man, has died after a short illness, aged 84.

Born on Rooley Moor Road in 1932, he had eight decades of working, business and campaigning connections within the Borough of Rochdale.

As a schoolboy Derek worked a horse-drawn milk round in Norden, back then a much smaller village. His lifelong equine links were forged from a career as a Registered Farrier. Often accompanied with a rescued dog as companion, Derek's work included shoeing Greater Manchester Police horses and treating donkeys at several local animal sanctuaries. Some of his proudest professional achievements were the prizes he won for farriery at Wembley with the shire horses of the late E.R Williams.

In the 1980s and 90s it was a frequent sight to see Derek walking his Arab stallion through the terraced streets of Spotland into Healey Dell.

Derek and his beloved wife Pat celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary last April. As a devoted husband, father and grandad, Derek was seen in news reports last year with his grandson Joseph on a toy horse that was won in a 'bonny baby' competition in the mid 1930s.

For over 35 years, from the early 1960s to the late 1990s, Pat and Derek's hardware shop on Rooley Moor Road was a local institution.

As a former Turner Brothers Asbestos worker who had watched family members and friends succumb to asbestos cancer, Derek was one of the founding members of the Save Spodden Valley campaign in 2004, whose aim is to make the controversial asbestos factory site a Green Lung extension of Healey Dell through the river valley to Rochdale town centre.

As keen environmentalists Derek and his son Jason planted over 3,000 trees on family owned land off Birch Road, Wardle. They also made over 2000m2 available to dedicate as a bridleway in the Wardle Gateway project to help public amenity and access. Modest to the end, Derek never made his involvement known.

A good friend, Alan Somerville, reflected on Derek's long life and achievements: “They broke the mould with Derek - Mr Spotland. He was old school, hard-working and straight-talking with a great sense of fun. This is the end of an era.”

Derek's funeral will be at Rochdale Crematorium at 11.45am Friday 16 December.

His family insist there is no need to wear black - this is to be a joyful thanksgiving and celebration of a long life, lived to the full.

No flowers. Any donations, if desired, to Crossroads Care Ribble Valley.

Arrangements via Spotland Bridge Funeral Services, 01706 869995.