Councillors hold minute’s silence and pay tribute to former Wakefield mayor Norman Hazell MBE
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Elected members told a full council meeting of their fond memories of the veteran politician and former Tory group leader who died on October 30, aged 90.
Mr Hazell, also a popular cricket umpire and devoted family man, was a councillor for 35 years representing Sandal and was Wakefield’s mayor in the Millennium year.
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Hide AdCouncil Leader Denise Jeffery said: “He was an amazing character.
“He did a lot of good work for his constituents and he did a lot of good work for the council.
“I do send regards to his wife and his family.
Deputy Leader Jack Hemingway said: “I met him a number of times and it was clear that he was very much an elder statesman.
“He was very much respected by all parties.
“It is sad a sad loss to this district that someone of such calibre has passed on.”
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Hide AdTory Group Leader Tony Homewood said: “He was a good old friend of mine. He was a good guy and I had a lot of time for him.
“He is a great loss and he is a great loss to Wakefield. He was Mr Wakefield.”
Mohamed Ayub, Labour councillor for Wakefield East, said: “He was an amazing guy and a character that will be missed by everybody.”
Coun Ayub also recalled playing in a cricket match which was umpired by Mr Hazell, saying:”I had just hit a four and a six and I was on 48 when he gave me out LBW.
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Hide Ad“He said ‘I have got to give it as I see it’. And that’s Norman. He gave it as he saw it.”
Maureen Cummins, Cabinet member for communities, poverty and health, also paid tribute and recalled a visit with Mr Hazell to Konin, in Poland, one of Wakefield’s twin towns.
She said: “Back in the heady days when we had more money than we have now, we did have a twinning arrangement.
“It was quite a culture shock to both Norman and myself because people walked around with guns. Norman stepped up to the plate as my bodyguard.
“He was a lovely, lovely man and my thoughts are with his family.”
Mr Hazell’s funeral will be held at St Austin’s Roman Catholic Church, Wakefield, on Monday, November 21, at 1pm.
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