Arthur Briggs (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Arthur Briggs

10:30am Wednesday 28th January 2009

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ARTHUR Briggs, the world’s oldest serving councillor, died of a stroke last Monday (January 19), aged 101.

Honorary alderman Arthur Briggs was born a twin in Lancaster on August 18, 1907.

He served as a Lancaster City Councillor for the Bolton-le-sands ward for over 30 years and as mayor of Lancaster from 1987-88.

At the age of 91, he earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest serving councillor.

Mr Briggs started his career as a stained glass artist at Seawards in Lancaster and worked on Cartmel Priory and York Minister.

He then moved into insurance and worked as an insurance agent for Royal Liver Assurance Company for 37 years.

Mr Briggs served in the Royal Core of Signals in Italy and Africa, from 1935, but was demobbed in 1938, to work in communications in Lancaster.

In 2000 he received an MBE as one of 319 people listed in the Millennium New Year’s honours list, and in 2003, he was invested as an honorary alderman in recognition for his work on Lancaster City Council.

As a life-long Lancaster City fan, Mr Briggs was the team’s oldest supporter.

He was also a keen traveller and in 1999, at the age of 91, he made his last trip to Australia, where he travelled in the world’s largest hot air balloon.

Mr Briggs was married for over 60 years to Edith, who died in 1999. He leaves a daughter, Beryl.

His funeral took place at Lancaster Priory, yesterday (Thursday).

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