Tributes to 'passionate' and 'popular' Bradford councillor after his death
Conservative Councillor Russell Brown represented the Worth Valley ward on Bradford Council for 15 years
A LONG-standing Councillor whose artwork celebrating Captain Tom and the Tour De France helped brighten up the District has died.
Conservative Councillor Russell Brown represented the Worth Valley ward on Bradford Council for 15 years, and his colleagues have said they were “devastated” to hear of his death.
Cllr Brown was an active member of the Council – sitting on numerous committees as well as being a popular local campaigner.
He often raised the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) during debates.
And he also helped bring large scale art to the Keighley area – creating signs that were installed to celebrate the arrival of the Tour De France in 2014 and celebrating Keighley born Captain Tom Moore during the Covid pandemic.
Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservatives and Cllr Brown’s ward colleague, said: “My colleagues and I were devastated to hear of the recent passing of Cllr Russell Brown.
“Russell was a friend and Worth Valley Ward colleague, with Chris Herd and I, for over 15 years and had been a Worth Valley Ward Councillor since November 2010.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
“He cared passionately about our local area and had many friends of all political colours. He will be an immense loss to the Worth Valley and the wider Council.
“I know colleagues across the Council had great warmth and respect for Russell and his practical approach to problem solving.
“He always wanted to enthuse and encourage young people to maximise their talents and opportunities and was a huge advocate of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
“Whether it was making bird boxes with primary school children, giant signs for the Tour de France, projects through Space 2 Inspire or community art projects, Russell was at his best when he was getting stuck into a project with young people.
“He even met His Majesty, King Charles in May and had made him a Bradford memento to put on his coffee table.
“Russell was Chair of Keighley and Ilkley Area Committee for a number of years and loved bringing organisations and groups together to improve opportunities locally across Keighley. Whatever the project or group he was there offering them practical support.
“Russell will have positively affected many people’s lives over the years, and he will be a huge loss. Our hearts go out to his family and everyone who held him dear.”
Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “I’m so sorry to hear of Russell’s passing.
“He was a thoroughly decent man, who cared very much about his ward. He also wanted the best for the whole of the Bradford district, taking an active part in the UK City of Culture.
“He worked well with colleagues across the chamber, regardless of political parties so he will be missed by all of us. My condolences to his family.”
Councillor Matt Edwards, Leader of the Green Party in Bradford, said: “The Green Group are incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Russell. He was a genuinely committed councillor and someone personally had a lot of time for.
“I know he cared deeply about the community he represented, and his passion for education was something he couldn’t hide if he tried.
“He was an incredibly authentic person and I'm going to miss being on committees with him.”