Council pays tribute to late Mayor Barry Panter
Tributes will be paid to the late Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme at a special council meeting.
Members of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council will share personal stories and memories of Cllr. Barry Panter on Wednesday, 19 March.
The special meeting was called to discuss the council’s response to local government reorganisation.
Cllr. Panter, who represented the Loggerheads ward and was coming to the end of his year as Mayor, passed away suddenly on Saturday, 15 February following a road accident. He was 75.
A spokesperson for the council said:
Everyone at the council is shocked to hear about Barry’s sudden death and our thoughts remain with his wife, Beatrice, family and friends at this very sad time.
As the Mayor, Cllr. Panter chaired meetings of Full Council so it’s a fitting place for us to publicly show our admiration and respect for him. There are also further opportunities to honour his character, achievements and contributions.”
The Union Flag in Queens Gardens, outside Castle House, remained at half-mast as a mark of respect until the evening of Mr Panter’s private funeral on Thursday, 20 March.
The Mayor’s Ball is going ahead at Keele Hall on 29 March, with some changes, to celebrate Cllr. Panter’s life. The event is being hosted by the Mayor’s widow, Beatrice Panter, to raise money for Headway North Staffs and the Chesterton branch of the Salvation Army.
A civic service of remembrance is taking place at St. Giles’ Church in Newcastle on Thursday, 3 April at 1.30pm.