The flag has been lowered at Richmondshire District Council’s offices as a mark of respect following the death of long-standing councillor John Blackie.
Books of condolences have also been opened at the authority’s headquarters at Mercury House in Richmond, as well as the community office in Hawes.
Tributes have continued to flow for the former leader of the district council following his death on Saturday after a long battle with cancer.
Current leader of the council, Councillor Angie Dale, said John was a battler in every way.
“When John took up a cause he was relentless in seeing it through.
“He wanted to succeed in everything and more often than not he did – whether it was keeping open community libraries, the petrol station in his beloved Hawes, the local post office.
“He cared passionately for the Dales and when he fought your cause you knew you had a good chance of winning.
“He will be a great loss to the district – and especially this district council. We will miss him in debates at meetings and I will miss his guidance. In my first four years as a councillor he mentored, advised and set me on my own community path.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the district council are with John’s family and close friends.”
John joined Richmondshire Council in May 1995 and had represented the Hawes, High Abbotside and Upper Wensleydale area ever since, winning his seat again in May this year.
He was council leader from 2001 to 2007 and again from 2011 to 2015.
He was a tireless and energetic member of the council who was an active part of countless committees and working groups – many of which he led from the chair.
His appointments were extensive but most recently John chaired the council’s planning committee and was vice-chairman to the council’s external scrutiny committee – alongside representing Richmondshire on North Yorkshire scrutiny of health committee.
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So sad to lose this fair and hard working man. A real loss to the community and a bastion against selfish concerns.
John has been an inspiring, and truly dear friend, as well as my employer for the Little White Bus, which, since May 2011, has been a major part of keeping our Dales communities together. John has been the making of me in the last 5 years, and has left a huge hole in my life. Long may his legacy continue in God’s own county. R.I.P dear friend and colleague.
Due to living in German I will be unable to sign the “Book of Condolences”. I have had various dealings with John, over a number of years and have always found him most helpful, nothing was too difficult. It is a pity he never receive an appropriate accolade for all the work he did for the Upper Dales.
I feel privileged to have Known John Blackie.
The words fight the Good fight could have been written for John, and he did fight up till the end.
RIP JOHN.
John Walker said it was a pity John Blackie never received an appropriate accolade. I know many people did want him to receive an honour… I wonder if the file is stuck somewhere on a dusty shelf!
As with Andy Worboys- he was an amazing boss and friend, he will be missed by A LOT of people not just in Hawes but wherever he has helped in his life…
Maybe a plaque of some sort in Hawes?