Carnforth publican and three-times mayor dies aged 71

Tuesday, 29 October 2024 12:45

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A three-times mayor described as "Carnforth through and through" and well-known publican in the town has died aged 71.

Bob Roe was Town Mayor of Carnforth on three separate occasions and served the town a for a total of 33 years.

He was also former publican of The Shovel Inn pub in Carnforth and most recently a director of the Carnforth Station Trust.

Councillor Roe was also elected as a Lancaster city councillor for Carnforth in 2007.

His three decades of service to the town began after he raised a matter with late Councillor Edna Jones, who told him to stand for the council if he felt so strongly about it, and he did.

Councillor Roe often said that his most cherished memories were accompanying the late Councillor Pat Wooff - when she was Town Mayor - to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen, and leading the 2018 Remembrance Sunday Parade as Town Mayor himself.

This marked the centenary of the First World War ending and was Carnforth's biggest and best-attended civic ceremony at the time.

He worked tirelessly to keep Carnforth town assets when local government was reorganised in 1974, including Carnforth Civic Hall, the Carnforth (Highfield) allotments and the council offices.

His stints as mayor were in 2006/2007, 2013/2014 and 2018/2019.

Councillor Roe also managed to secure the return of the War Memorial and gardens to the town's guardianship, which will be the centre of the forthcoming celebrations on November 9, marking 100 years since War Memorial was unveiled.

Councillor Elizabeth Jones, town mayor, said: "Bob was Carnforth through and through with a vast knowledge of the town’s history and community. He leaves a huge hole to fill on the council."

At the time of writing, no information on Councillor Roe’s funeral was available.

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