The Leader of Northumberland County Council has led tributes to a former Northumberland County Councillor, Anthony Murray from Wooler who passed away peacefully at the weekend at 86 years of age.
 

Cllr Glen Sanderson, paid tribute to Anthony for his lifetime of public service and his passion for his community. 
 

He said: “I am sure I speak for everyone who knew Anthony that we are all deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He was one of life’s true gentlemen, a man of the people, and was held with the greatest respect and affection by all those who knew and worked with him. Anthony dedicated his entire life to selfless service for the Glendale community and beyond and fought fiercely for his constituents. He had time for everyone and his warmth and dedicated service touched so many people’s lives. 
 

“It was an absolute honour and privilege to work alongside Anthony over many years. He was an incredible person - one of a kind - and will be greatly missed. 
 

"Our thoughts are very much with his family and his wife Patricia at this very sad time.” 
 

Anthony’s council work was just a small proportion of his service to Wooler and the surrounding community which spanned decades. 

The father of two and proud grandfather of four was a Northumberland County Councillor from 2008 and a member of the National Park Committee from 1972. 
 

In addition, he carried out an enormous amount of work for local residents and organisations spanning right back to 1946. 

He served on numerous committees including as Chair of Governors at Glendale Middle School, as a Trustee of the Glendale Gateway Trust, he was a member of the Northumberland Uplands Advisory Group and chair of Friends of Wooler Church Yard. He was a River Tweed Commissioner, sat on Community Action Northumberland (CAN) and regularly attended eight parish council meetings in his ward. 
 

Anthony was awarded the MBE in 2015 and more recently in 2021 he was awarded the Freedom of Wooler; this is the highest honour that Wooler Parish Council can bestow and was symbolic of the esteem that Anthony was held by the town. It was an award he cherished deeply - as the community cherished him.  

Anthony's funeral will be held at St Mary's Church,  Wooler on Thursday 8th June at 2.30pm.