SIR - I had known Smith Midgley for nearly thirty six years. When the news came that Smith had passed away I felt grieved at the news. Right up to the end the man gave his all to his beliefs. He was the guiding spirit of many policies that formed the Worth Valley as it is today. Lately my contact with Smith was at meetings of the Haworth Residents' Committee, where he was an active member of that group.

It was he who gave sound advice when residents from Stanbury, Cross Roads and Haworth decided that local democracy needed a Parish Council that truly reflected local views within Bradford's boundaries.

Even though I did not share his political views, nor he mine, I realised that my sadness at his passing will join other's genuine grief at the news of his demise.

He was a generous person to me. As a councillor of many years standing, when he had heard that I was writing a fictitious book, he asked to see a draft manuscript.

To be blunt, the book could be said to be critical of local councillors and officers. Yet he was more than helpful in giving the caricatures that I had painted a soul and a life.

I will miss him as a raconteur, as a man and as a politician who would angrily shout me down, yet be always ready to hold my hand when I needed help.

He will be missed.

DAVID SAMUELS,

Station Road, Oxenhope.

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