Former Redcar mayor Brian Briggs passes away at 86

Brian Briggs, Former Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Dies at 86

Brian Briggs, who was Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland during the 2009/2010 term and served as a councillor for Skelton from 2003 to 2015, has died at the age of 86. He was known for his long-standing service to the community.

Tributes and Community Impact

Sitting Mayor Ian Hart led the tributes, stating, “This is very sad news. I’m sure I speak on behalf of everybody at the council and far beyond when I pass on condolences to Brian’s family and friends.” He added that Mr. Briggs was a man who served his community with commitment and dignity.

Mr. Briggs also served as a parish councillor for Skelton and Brotton for 20 years and chaired the Cleveland Fire Authority during his public service. He was well-known in the community for running the Duke of William Inn in Skelton with his wife Margaret from 1986 to 2000.

Family and Personal Life

A father of three, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Mr. Briggs was fondly remembered for his role as Father Christmas, appearing at around 30 venues each year for over two decades. His son, Peter Briggs, expressed, “My father was a lovely man and will be missed by so many people.”

Peter added, “It’s been heartwarming to see hundreds of messages online. He was known by many and was absolutely committed to his community. But his family came first.” He also thanked the nurses and staff at Yew Tree Care Centre in Redcar for their care during Mr. Briggs’ final days.

Career and Contributions

Originally from South Terrace in South Bank, Mr. Briggs was married to Margaret for 63 years until her death in 2023. The family moved to Skelton in the early 1970s and became well-known in the area, especially through their involvement with Skelton Castle Cricket Club.

Mr. Briggs worked as a bricklayer with Charles Amer’s construction company and later at British Steel, where he lined coke ovens from the 1960s to the 1980s before becoming a publican.

Further Tributes and Funeral Details

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Leader Alec Brown also paid tribute, saying, “My heart goes out to Brian’s family and all those who knew him. Brian was a dedicated councillor and servant of his community. He will be sorely missed.”

During his mayoral year, Mr. Briggs raised over £10,000 for Zoe’s Place and the Great North Air Ambulance. His funeral will take place at Skelton All Saints Church on Friday, January 16, at 1:30 PM.

The family welcomes donations in his memory to either MacMillan Nurses or the animal charity Maxi’s Mates via the funeral-notices.co.uk website, where tributes can also be left. Mr. Briggs’ legacy of service and generosity will be remembered by all who knew him.