Tributes to 'popular and hardworking' former Burnley mayor who has died aged 80

David Heginbotham (80), born in Oldham, was first elected to Burnley Council in 1991 under the Conservative banner.

He continued to serve the residents of Cliviger and Worsthorne in council, bar a brief break between 1998 to 2002, right up until his retirement in 2018.

Mr Heginbotham died on Sunday.

During his time in council, Mr Heginbotham served as Burnley’s mayor from 2011 to 2012.

As mayor, he presided over the Olympic Torch relay which passed through the town in March 2012 and again in May that year when Her Majesty the Queen visited Burnley.

However, his biggest achievement came with the re-opening of the Todmorden Curve in 2015.

As part of a wider council campaign, he worked tirelessly to have the 500m section of track – linking Burnley to Manchester – re-opened after it was closed in 1972.

Upon retiring from the council in 2018 he handed his candidate position in that year's elections to Coun. Ivor Emo who represents the Cliviger with Worsthorne seat today.

He still remained active in the Conservative Association, and despite his worsening health continued to tread the campaign trail in all weathers for the Conservatives .

Mr Dale Ferrier, Conservative Association chairman, said: “We’re deeply saddened by the loss of David Heginbotham. He was a dedicated member of our association, serving on Burnley Council for many years, including as the mayor between 2011-12.

"David was very passionate and a determined campaigner; always fighting hard to represent the residents of Worsthorne and Cliviger. He held a great love for the whole of Burnley with one of his biggest achievements being the reopening of the Todmorden Curve in 2015.

"David was a very experienced member who would always offer his wisdom and advice to the younger members of the group. He said to new councillors that you're not just a councillor for your ward, you’re a councillor for the whole of Burnley.

"He was a great friend to all of us in the Burnley Conservatives and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "David was a popular and hardworking councillor and was a former mayor of Burnley.

"One of his ambitions was to see the reinstatement of the Todmorden Curve to re-open direct rail links to and from Manchester, a project he was so pleased and proud to see completed.

"One minute’s silence will be observed at the forthcoming Full Council.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."