Dale Smith reflects on 50 years with Bradford Council

DALE SMITH, former Lord Mayor of Bradford and one of the first councillors on the new Bradford Met Council, looks back on 50 years as a councillor:

I SUSPECT that Bradford Blood runs through my veins just like Blackpool Rock.

Born in 1940, I have been so very fortunate. Lucky to have the parents I did, the life experiences I’ve had, to marry Margaret and have two sons and a daughter, seven grandchildren with a great granddaughter on her way.

And to have had a lifetime job I enjoyed and to be a political animal. It is recognition of such blessings that provides the mojo to try to put something back into life and mould a better future for everyone. Levelling up - not down - yet advocating that individuals take responsibility for themselves and their families but for those in need advocating the provision of abundant care through life.

Mother, born 1910, lived in Manningham as a young girl then near Saltaire, going to Bingley GS for 6d a week, then Beckett’s Park Leeds to train as a primary school teacher. Born 1906, my dad left Belle Vue School at 14 to be a post boy at Greenish’s Mill then a salesman in Fancy Leather goods, Paint and American Two-in-One Shoe Polish. He started Shipley Paint & Varnish Co Ltd in 1938.

I was born in Four Gables Nursing Home in Horsforth, the oldest of three brothers. Christened after a barber in Manchester Road I lived in The Homestead, Menston and walked, rain or shine, across the fields and up Green Lane to Menston Council School. Seven years old I was a page boy to the Carnival Queen and rode down Main Street on the greengrocer’s horse-drawn cart. At 10 I was elected as Communist Prime Minister in a mock general election. I went to Bradford Grammar School, at St Andrew’s University I got a 3rd Chemistry but had the time of my life. At 16 I was persuaded to join the Young Conservatives on the basis that “If you don’t like it - do something to change it!” A philosophy I still adhere to and the start being a lifelong One Nation Tory.

I met my wife Margaret at a Young Conservative conference at The Grand Hotel in Scarborough. She was Young Conservative Divisional Chairman of Pudsey and we married in 1965 at Benton Church, Rawdon. Over the years politics have been a constant thread through our lives. Chris Chataway approved me as a Parliamentary Candidate and I stood for Wakefield in the 1970 election. I was first elected to IUDC in 1963 then in 1974 to Bradford Metropolitan District Council where apart from an eight-year gap 1980/88 I remained until last year when I did not seek re-election so I could give better support to our family. I remain a Menston Parish Councillor.

Over 52 years I’ve had the privilege of serving in most posts of responsibility on both councils, on Bradford as Deputy Leader of the Council, Education Portfolio Holder, Co-chairman of the Strategic Disability Partnership, Chairman of Education Scrutiny etc, when in power and in opposition. I fully concur with Alan Chapman’s reminisces of Members and Officers. I made friends and colleagues across politics and have precious memories of Doris Birdsall and her colleagues, as well as Gordon Moore and many other officers. I found that if you treated people with respect they would treat you with respect.

Dale as the Lord Mayor of Bradford addressing the council chamber in 2012 (Image: Newsquest)

I could not have given such service without the support of Margaret and the family but also the support of Shipley Paint! Having tasted many jobs over holidays as postman, working at Newbould’s bakery over Christmas for 72 hours solid loading bread onto ‘lorry trunkers’ and in the laboratory at ICI in Huddersfield, in 1963 I joined my father in his business of making paint, as later did my two brothers.

I remember at the start of my employment a neighbour painted his outside yard wall in white gloss, when I asked why he didn’t get his paint from us he said: “Nay lad, your paint is far too dear”! The job looked good and I told my father we’d be out of business in weeks. Dad told me to be patient and sure enough by the end of the month its gloss had gone and by the end of the year it needed repainting!

My parents had a strong work ethic, as a child I was taken down to work evenings and weekends to turn on or off the pebble-mill. The company had its ups and downs; the three-day week, credit crunch, staff issues and a terrible fire with the saddest loss of a life. In 2013 we celebrated 75 years in manufacturing, graced by a visit from The Princess Royal.

I have other distractions. Shipley Glen Tramway; opened in 1895 and still going strong thanks to its volunteers. Canterbury Imagine operating initially on Canterbury Estate, a charity book scheme kick-started with a donation from Sprinkle Sunshine appeal when I was Lord Mayor of Bradford, and the Dragon Boat Festivals in Saltaire showing Bradford in all its Brilliance.

Dale with his wife Margaret at the Lord Mayor's Ball in 2013 (Image: Newsquest)

As a councillor I had the privilege to be elected as Lord Mayor 2012/13 and I cannot conclude before touching on the enjoyment Margaret and I had during my year. We had the honour of representing the people of Bradford District throughout a magical Golden Jubilee and Olympic year of celebration and festivals.

The Duke Gloucester inspected the Mirror Pool in Bradford after declaring it and City Park open. A trained architect, the Duke delved into the bowels of the earth to inspect the plant. The Duke Kent we met on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. At Keighley station he vanished for 10 minutes to change into togs to drive the steam train back to Oakworth!

I met the Countess of Wessex at the Wool Board Warehouse on Canal Road when she mercilessly teased the young men demonstrating a make-believe wool auction on their computers. Finally we had the crowning accolade of welcoming the late Queen for lunch in Saltaire when, not only I had the temerity to correct Her Majesty, I almost poked her eyes out! Nevertheless, she happily chatted around a table of 10, enjoying a lunch of Yorkshire Fare.

Dale with the Queen during Her Majesty's visit to Saltaire in 2012 (Image: Newsquest)

I never regret the reorganisation of 1974 nor my decision to seek election. It has been a privilege and joy to give service.