Tributes paid to Hucknall Councillor Jim Blagden who died yesterday

Tributes have been paid to Hucknall Councillor Jim Blagden who has died at the age of 74.

Mr Blagden, who represented Hucknall Central for the Ashfield Independents on Ashfield District Council, passed away a after a battle with cancer.

Jim lost his battle in the early hours of yesterday morning (Sunday 31 July). He leaves behind his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years Sheila and his beloved family.

Councillor Blagden, 74, a former master bricklayer, a former First Aid Instructor at St John's Ambulance and a former caretaker at Spring Street School, Ogle Street in Hucknall had the all clear from leukaemia earlier this year but the cancer returned.

Speaking earlier this year after getting the all clear – Jim said: "When I received the leukaemia diagnosis – I had to think of my family and what they'd already gone through with the sad death of our grandson. I never told a single constituent I had cancer – they had their problems and it was my job to deal with their problems – not for me to burden them with mine. 

"When I rang that bell – I rang it for Sheila – after all these years of marriage – we're still like teenagers. I rang it for my family who had suffered enough from cancer issues. I rang it for my grandson Aeron. I rang it for every patient who is still going through the cancer journey. I rang it for the people of Hucknall."

Speaking on behalf of the Blagden family, Jim's son Calvin Blagden said: "Dad was a wonderful father and grandfather. We are so sorry that he has lost his fight. He was the rock of our family and will be sorely missed by everyone. 

"Jim was a principled man – someone who fought all his life for not just his family but for everybody in Hucknall. Dad was a man for the people of Hucknall. He worked so hard for them. Whether that be the children at Spring Street School, people who he looked after when he was on ambulance duty or the people he represented as a Councillor. 

"He always felt that he had to earn the right to represent his neighbours in Hucknall. He never felt he had a divine right to be a councillor. He felt privileged to represent Hucknall. Hucknall will be a poorer place for dad's passing."

Ashfield Council Leader Jason Zadrozny said: "Jim was an inspiration. When he told me he'd been diagnosed with cancer – his first thought was for Sheila, his family and for the residents of Hucknall. 

"Jim had drive and determination and fought for the town he was proud to represent. During COVID – it's no exaggeration that his work saved lives. He fought and delivered a vaccination centre at Rolls Royce Leisure, hand sanitisers in council-run car parks and helped dozens of Hucknall businesses survive through the pandemic. My thoughts go out to Sheila and the family."

Lauren Mitchell, who represents Hucknall South for Labour on Ashfield District Council, said: "My deepest condolences to Jim's family, friends and supporters he had in the community. Jim was always kind to me and a passionate advocate for Hucknall."

Known fondly as "Gentleman Jim" Councillor Blagden was Chairman of the Ashfield Independents. He recently spearheaded the Council's response to COVID-19 and was Assistant Cabinet Member for Corporate Communications and Environmental Improvements.

Away from politics, Jim was a Nottingham Forest season ticket holder and in his spare time was a prolific artist painting dozens of watercolours from his Hucknall home. 

Hucknall Nub News send their condolences to the family and friends of Mr Blagden.