It is with deep sadness that North Oxfordshire Conservatives have learned of the death of Honorary Alderman Fred Blackwell.
A Banbury Councillor for 45 years, Fred was a dedicated community man. Councillor Kieron Mallon has led local tributes; “For forty years Fred was a leading light in local politics and good causes. Banbury has lost a man whose public service for Banbury and North Oxfordshire will stand as a beacon for those of us who follow to try to emulate”.
Fred was the first and only Councillor to be made an Honorary Alderman. The title was conferred to him by Cherwell District Council in 2016 in recognition of his decades of service to the District.
He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. Our thoughts are with those people, and his family, at this difficult time.