FIGURES from across the political spectrum have gathered for the funeral of former Lord Mayor of Bradford, John Godward.

The current Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Councillor Geoff and Chris Reid, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain and former Lord Mayors, Councillor Joanne Dodds and Howard Middleton, were among those paying their respects at St Chad’s Church in Toller Lane, this morning.

Mr Godward died earlier this month, at the age of 70. He served as a councillor on Bradford Council for 35 years and was Lord Mayor in 2009-10, at which point he was the authority’s longest-serving member.

Mr Hussain, who is also Labour councillor for Toller, said: “I served on the council with John for a number of years and I will always remember John as a very passionate guy who always stood his ground, especially when it came to fighting for the most vulnerable in society.

“He was chairman of the social services committee and his time as Lord Mayor was, I believe, a very good year that showed how caring and passionate John was.

“He was a friend and a colleague who is going to be truly missed.”

Councillor Dodds (Lab, Great Horton), who had been Mr Godward’s ward colleague for many years, said it was a “very sad day” and everyone’s thoughts were with his widow, Jean.

She said: “He has been a large part of my life for many years. I think I have known him since 2001, when I first got involved in the community, and I was so glad I went to see him the week before he died.”

Cllr Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: “He has given good service to Great Horton over many years.

“In his final year on the council it was quite painful to see him struggle, but he insisted on going on till the end.”

Conservative group leader, Councillor Simon Cooke, (Con, Bingley Rural) said: “John had been a fixture at the council all the time I have been there and I think no-one could really fault his contribution he made over the years as a councillor.

“He was one of those old-fashioned Labour councillors that are fewer and fewer these days in terms of it just being about the commitment to the community where they live, the people they work with and about making sure they get a fair deal.”

Councillor David Green (Lab, Wibsey), former leader of the council, said: “John was somebody who definitely called a spade a spade but he had a great commitment not only to the people of Great Horton but around children’s services and social services - he was always very passionate about that. Simon and I have both been on the receiving end, and he would fight really hard for what he believed was right.

“There won’t be many more John Godwards coming through.

“He was very passionate about the community and what he believed in.”

Former Grange School headteacher Keith Thomson said Mr Godward had been a governor there and had been “a very committed local man”.