Tributes have been paid to a former council leader and Scunthorpe mayor who has sadly passed away.
Cyril Nottingham was a councillor on Scunthorpe Council across four decades and stood for parliament multiple times too. He was also a familiar face to Scunthorpe and Ashby market goers as a master butcher.
He has died at the age of 96. Community centres, local politicians and his daughter Bev Nottingham have shared tributes to, and memories of, him.
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He was born on September 22, 1927, in Cadney, Lincolnshire, one of 13 siblings. He was married to June for 38 years before she died in 1986. They had four children, Paul, Chris, Bev and the late Dave. Called up to the Navy at the end of WW2, he was a cook for two years on minesweepers.
From age 10, Cyril worked on Scunthorpe Market, initially wrapping meat up for Saturday customers. As a national entrepreneur and leader, he started his own butchery business in 1952, joined by all the family in turn. He ran stalls at Ashby and Scunthorpe Markets, and had three butchers’ shops too.
A local councillor between 1962 and 1996, he was the town mayor in 1978/79. He stood for Labour as a moderate before expulsion, then for Democratic Labour and the SDP. At various points, he led the Labour group on the council, was the council leader, and chaired four committees.
(Image: Image supplied by family)
His political career had its unusual moments. In 1974, as head of the council’s health committee, he attended a behind closed doors showing of The Exorcist to decide if it could be shown in the town. Scunthorpe Telegraph archives detail the committee did allow the film’s screening.
Cyril also had a court battle over using SDP on butchers’s shop carrier bags. As his daughter Bev details: “In 1982 Cyril had the idea of producing carriers for the butchery business emblazoned with SDP. At this stage of his political career, he was a member of the Social Democratic Party but of course the carriers were only advertising Special Discount Prices. A high court case ensued, was fought and won.”
Bev said her parents were “extremely proud” to be Mayor and Mayoress of Scunthorpe in 1978/79. Through their hard-working fundraising committee, a record-breaking £51,000 was raised for charity with the mayor’s appeal fund, still to be topped.
Cyril donated to local charities and causes and volunteered at several community centres. These included Scunthorpe Central Community Centre, Crosby Community Association, and Frodingham and Brumby Community Centre. A spokesperson for the latter said: “He was a big pillar of the community centre. We would like to thank him for everything he’s done in the community, and we send love and strength to his family.”
(Image: Image supplied by family)
Nehal Hyder knew Cyril for over 40 years, through the Crosby Community Association, and as a fellow local elections candidate. A former President of the Bangladeshi Welfare Association, he recalled Cyril’s support for the community, attending meetings and large donations to the association.
“I’ve never seen such a kind, generous person all through my life. We will all miss him, he was a golden man.” Cyril’s voluntary work stretched his entire life. His daughter Bev said he joined St John’s Ambulance at the age of 10 and remained a member until 70, when retired after being president. He was instrumental in fundraising for its Collum Avenue headquarters.
Cyril only finished volunteering at Scunthorpe Central Community Centre aged 92 at the beginning of the pandemic. Other local organisations he was involved in include Ashby Decoy Golf Club, Scunthorpe Ironesses girls and ladies football, and eighteen years as president of the Federation of Small Businesses’ local branch.
Labour Ashby Lakeside Ward Cllr Judith Matthews shared how Cyril supported her family. “Cyril was an upstanding pillar of the community and always went the extra mile to help his residents. He helped myself and my mum many years ago after my dad died, with compassion and support he will be missed.”
(Image: harold caine (not staff))
“I did know him myself,” said North Lincolnshire Council leader Conservative Cllr Rob Waltham. “He was actively involved in the community for decades. Even whether it was in business, or with various community groups and activities, he was a well respected part of the community.”
Town Ward Labour Cllr Mashook Ali said: “Cyril has done a lot for the Central Community Centre over the last 35 years and the Crosby Community Association. He has served the community and dedicated himself whole heartedly to the two organisations and its recipients.”
Cyril was also a much loved family figure. Bev said: “Cyril was a generous, supportive and protective father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was always willing to help if any of us had a problem.
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“He was head of the family and a patriarch, not just to his immediate family but the extended family too. He made things happen, left a legacy and was the most resilient person. He loved to tell stories about his long life and we will miss hearing them and being able to ask him about the past.”
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
