Tributes to councillor and a ‘true gentleman’

The funeral of a former long-standing councillor who was given the first “Freeman of Alsager” title last year has been held.

Ron Tyson was described as respected “right across the board” and “a true gentleman”.

Mr Tyson died “suddenly and peacefully” at his Alsager home on 8th November, aged 85. He leaves behind wife Jen.

Mr Tyson had stood down from Alsager Town Council as a Lib Dem representative in February last year ahead of local elections, having served in public office for 28 years. He had been the town council’s chair three times.

Later in 2023 Mr Tyson, former deputy head teacher of Brownhills High School, became Alsager’s first honorary freeman, which had left him feeling “completely overwhelmed”.

Mr Tyson’s funeral was held at the town’s St Mary Magdalene Church, where had been a churchwarden.

Paying tribute to his former Lib Dem colleague Phil Williams, who had also served with Mr Tyson on the town council before retiring himself, said: “Ron was respected right across the board, was a very able councillor, very measured, very well respected.

“He’d been a headteacher and had also been involved in rugby and Ron was an excellent sports photographer. He took amazing action shots at rugby matches. If you saw Ron’s pictures you would think he was a professional photographer.”

Mr Tyson had been a player, chair and president of Linley and Kidsgrove Rugby Club.

Added Mr Williams: “Ron would listen to all sides of any debate and was very considered. He was always very even-handed and when he made a decision he would think it through very very carefully. He was an excellent councillor and a good neighbour and friend.”

When he decided to call it a day as a councillor Mr Tyson told the “Chronicle”: “I won’t be sitting around watching TV from morning to night. I always enjoyed getting out and talking to people.”

His advice to future councillors was to “work hard for the town – that’s what we’re elected for – and to work as a united front.”

One of his proudest moments on the council was overseeing the installation of flower boxes at the four main gateways to Alsager in 2002.

On finding out he was to become Alsager’s first honorary freeman last year Mr Tyson had said: “I was completely overwhelmed. I couldn’t take it in and it came as a surprise. I’ve never joined any organisation hoping that I would be recognised or rewarded – I just wanted to do what I could.”

As well as his role as town councillor for many years Mr Tyson had also been the chair of the Jane Maddocks Housing Trust for 21 years and had been a trustee and chair of governors at Alsager’s Cranberry Academy.

He had also been the president of Alsager’s Probus and Rotary clubs.

Mr Tyson was born in Barrow-in-Furness and moved to Alsager in 1976.

A statement on Alsager Town Council’s website said: “It is with great sadness to announce the sad passing of honorary freeman Ron Tyson, previous chair and councillor of this parish.

“Mr Tyson, aged 85, died suddenly but peacefully on 8th November 2024 while in the loving care of his family at home in Alsager.”

It added that he was a “true gentleman who will be deeply missed”.

His funeral service will be followed by cremation at Bradwell Crematorium.

(Photo: ATC).