It is with great sadness that we mark the death of Alan Hickman, one of the leading members of Skipton and Ripon Labour Party over many years.

Alan, whose photograph features in the cover illustration on this website, as the Labour canvasser handing a leaflet to local residents, died on April 25, at the age of 81, after a long illness.

Alan served as a member of Skipton Town Council for many years and was the town’s mayor in 2018-19, the first Labour mayor of the town in four decades.

A life long socialist and peace campaigner Alan was a major in the Salvation Army and for more than 15 years was to be seen in Skipton town centre handing out salvationist literature. It was just a few weeks ago, as illness took its toll on his health that Alan wrote to the local paper, the Craven Herald, announcing that he was retiring from this work and offering a prayer to all those who had been in contact with him in this role over the years.

Alan was one of those who kept the Skipton and Ripon Labour Party going at a time when few were willing to attend meetings, let alone take part in campaigning activities. He was always willing to take the lead whatever the activity, whether it be helping run the fund-raising cafes, market stalls or acting as the local party’s representative to the national Labour conference.

He was a strong advocate of fair trade and the wearing of the white poppy. He was also physically courageous sky diving for charity when in his late seventies and later taking part in the town’s Santa run.

Alan was generous and considerate and described by political allies and opponents alike as a true gentleman.

He made a massive contribution to Skipton and to the Labour Party and will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts are with Alan’s wife Marie and their family.

Alan Hickman photographed in 2018 on becoming Skipton first Labour mayor for 40 years.