Frank Branston, First Mayor of Bedford

On Friday 14 August the death of Frank Branston, the first elected Mayor of Bedford Borough, was announced.

Speaking on Friday, Councillor Dave Hodgson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the Borough Council said, "I am saddened by Frank's sudden death, as I know so many people will be. On behalf of myself and the Liberal Democrat group I extend my sincere condolences to his family.

I would also like to pay tribute to Frank Branston. He was a man who clearly had strong views over a number of years on what was wrong with Bedford and what was best for Bedford. Credit to him that after campaigning successfully for a change to the Mayoral system, he put himself forward for the new post and was successful as the Better Bedford candidate, the party he started.

Frank was the driving force behind the latest push for a unitary council for Bedford Borough and I am glad that he lived to see and lead the new unitary council for Bedford.

Some of his ideas for Bedford are still on the drawing board and it is sad that he will not see them realised.