Cllr Roy Oldham - Tameside’s Executive Leader

Tameside’s Executive Leader Cllr Roy Oldham - who was one of Martin Wareings closest friends said:

“I've not just lost a fellow political colleague - I've also lost one of my dearest friends.

Martin was my Aide-de-camp, or my right hand man and for a very good reason - his unswerving support for me and this council as a whole was well known.

He loved Tameside in general and Denton in particular and had the kind of friendly disposition which made him one of the most popular councilors we've ever had.

"I am sure I speak for everyone here when I say he will be deeply missed, an old-school politician who, for me, will be irreplaceable."

Andrew Gwynne MP

Andrew Gwynne MP said

I am extremely saddened to hear Councillor Martin Wareing has passed away. Although he had been very fit and active, in recent weeks he has been battling serious illness.

Martin Wareing’s service to the people of Denton spans no fewer than five decades – in the 1960s and 1970s on Denton Urban District Council, the mid 1970s serving on the then newly formed Greater Manchester Council and from 1979 to 2009 on Tameside Council where he served for many years as Deputy Leader of the Council.

Although originally from Hulme. Martin’s dedication to public service and commitment to his adopted town meant that he could rightly hold with pride the title ‘Mr Denton’.

Recent achievements of his include the new civic square and the redevelopment of the sporting facilities on Stockport Road Playing Fields, which were re-named in Martin’s honour to Martin Fields.

Martin was closely associated with Denton Labour Club since the 1950s, serving for many years as a club director and as a school governor at both Egerton Park High School and Russell Scott Primary School.

It is undisputed that Martin Wareing’s mark has been left on the town for the future and he will be greatly missed by all his friends and comrades in the Denton and Reddish Labour Party.”

Goodbye Mr Denton

It is with deep sadness that Denton North East Labour Party announces the death of long-serving Labour councillor Martin Wareing.

Martin, who was widely known as Mr Denton, was 89, he passed away peacefully at Willow Wood Hospice after a short illness.
He had represented this area as a Labour Party councillor since 1979, Martin leaves behind one daughter.

Before joining Tameside Council he had been a member of Denton Urban District Council from 1956 to 1965 and a representative on the Greater Manchester Council between1974-78.His loyal years representing Tameside brought official recognition in 2003 when he was made Freeman of the Borough- the borough’s most distinguished honour.

The hugely popular councillor wrote: “Young people are our future and I have supported many local youth groups in Denton, including the Denton and Audenshaw Boy Scouts and Girl's Brigades, Girl Guiding UK Greater Manchester specifically for guides in the Tameside area, local cricket clubs and football teams.”

And it was this attitude and approach which brought him his highest accolade when he was awarded an MBE for services to charitable community causes in the Queen's 2003 New Year's honours list.

Martin will be missed not just by his family and his friends - especially Cllr Vincent Ricci who had formed a close bond of friendship with Martin - but also by local people who knew how Martin would work tirelessly for them and always put Denton people first.