Respected founding chemist dies

Mr Edmund Bailey ran the Bailey and Garrett Chemists in Rosegrove Lane from the 1950s.

He later joined with fellow chemist Jim Garrett and the pair opened a pharmacy in the new Kiddrow Lane Health Centre, the first of its kind in the country.

Burnley Grammar School old boy Mr Bailey, who spent much of his life in Rosegrove, married wife Peggy in September, 1945, at Rosegrove Methodist Church.

The popular couple were even the first unofficial “Mayor and Mayoress” of Rosegrove in the 1980s. Peggy died in 2006 aged 81.

The couple had children Michael, Judith and Keith, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Michael said: “My father was a lovely man. He was very dedicated to his job.

“Even though he retired at 60, dad continued as a locum and would even travel to the far north east of Scotland to cover for a friend of his.

“Since his death we have had lots of people tell us how dad visited them on Christmas Day or in the early hours of the morning if they needed him.

“Back then, running a pharmacy was a real seven day a week job.

“Away from work, dad was heavily involved in the Methodist Circuit and attended Rosegrove Methodist Church from an early age.

“He continued at Greenbrook and was a trustee. Dad also used to organise the Methodist Festival in the town.”

During the war years, Mr Bailey served in the local Home Guard and also in the Royal Armoured Corps.

Mr Bailey was also an enthusiastic supporter of amateur dramatics, directing and producing pantomimes at Rosegrove and Greenbrook.

He also enjoyed the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and sang with a local operatic society.

Michael added: “My dad was always a very busy man. He was heavily involved with the Burnley Boys’ Brigade, ever since it was formed in 1941, and was the first sergeant.

“He was also the vice-president of the East Lancashire Battalion of the Boys’ Brigade and was a member of the local Probus club.”

In his earlier years, Mr Bailey enjoyed walking and birdwatching with his lifelong friend Ken Halstead, who will read a eulogy at his funeral.

Mr Halstead said: “I have many fond memories of Edmund.

“We first met in the Boys’ Brigade and had many happy adventures together over the years.”

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 26th, at 1pm at Greenbrook Methodist Church followed by cremation at 2-20pm.