Remembering Former Councillor, Town Clerk and Freeman of Prescot, Daniel Wilson

Prescot Town Council is saddened to announce the passing of former Councillor, Town Clerk and Freeman of Prescot, Daniel Wilson, who died on Friday 15th March 2024.

Daniel (or to most simply “Dan”) was a well-known, respected, and deeply valued member of the Prescot community, who worked as Town Clerk to Prescot Town Council for 9 years and served as a Town Councillor between May 2023 and March 2024.

Whilst working as Town Clerk, Dan was instrumental in founding Prescot Town Hall, refurbishing the former Fusilier Pub on Warrington Road, to the bright, modern building the town has today. 

He worked closely with volunteer groups such as the Friends of Eaton Street Park and Friends of Brown’s Field to ensure that local facilities accessed by residents and visitors alike were of a high quality and reflected the ambitions of the town; and as Clerk he supported volunteer projects such as the Park Pantry Community Food Club and School Uniform and Coat Recycle Initiatives to directly help vulnerable members of our community.

Working with our Town Councillors, Dan was pivotal in establishing our Local Democracy Project – bringing local schoolchildren into the Town Hall for a day to learn about what the Town Council does and perhaps more importantly, encouraging children to become active members of their town.

Following ill health, Dan retired from his role as Town Clerk in 2021, and in recognition of his pro-active, aspirational, and esteemed service to the Town of Prescot, was awarded the honorary title of Freeman of Prescot in November 2021 by all of the elected members.    

Dan’s passion for making a difference locally did not diminish and prompted him to stand for election as a Town Councillor in May 2023.  

Duly elected, Dan regularly attended meetings of Council and Chaired our Finance, Policy and HR Committee – it was difficult for him to fully close his eye for detail!

Away from local government, Dan was a well-recognised and loved member of the town, who enjoyed a pint or two and loved to have a laugh with friends in the Sun Inn. 

He was an avid golfer who regularly played with friends across the northwest, and following retirement, dramatically improved his golfing handicap!  

Paying tribute to Dan, Cllr Joanne Burke, Leader of Prescot Town Council said ….

I first met Dan as a volunteer for Friends of Eaton Street Park and quickly found common ground in our dry (sometimes wicked) sense of humour and passion for fairness and justice. A few years later, disheartened by the Cllrs who were supposed to represent me, I stood and was elected to Prescot Town Council as the only opposition Cllr. Dan looked after me, he took me under his wing and quickly educated me in how to get the best out of the council for our community. He was a passionate character, as am I and we argued often, trying to get the other to see a point of view, but we would go away from each other, then come back and compromise. He really was a  joy to work with and became totally emerged in our hatching plans to grow and develop Prescot Town Council.

Even after retiring, whilst he was well enough, we would meet for lunch and strategise, in between him telling me how the love of his life Sara, was nothing short of an earth angel in the way she was helping him navigate his illness and caring for him, that was Dan, he never switched off, he was sharp, intelligent, professional and could outwit most…he was my friend and I am so thankful to have had him in my world, goodnight and God bless Dan, until we meet again.

Clerk to Prescot Town Council Alex Spencer added:

“Dan’s passing is incredibly sad, and everyone at the Town Council sends deepest sympathy and condolences to Sarah and Dan’s family and friends.

Dan was larger than life.  He was a real presence not only at the Town Hall but across the Town as so many people knew him, respected him; and shared a laugh with him too.

For me personally, Dan was invaluable in helping me find my feet in this new job and I only hope that in time; I can fill the massive shoes he’s left behind. 

Despite retiring from the job, Dan would never say no to going over finance figures or offering pointers as to how best do the job.  I’ll miss him coming into the office for a brew and talking about his latest golfing stableford score; or how Everton were doing badly in the league, before cracking on with the job or helping me out however he could. 

Dan was just a really, really nice fella and has been taken away far, far too early.  We’ll all really miss him and we’ll make sure the work he started continues to benefit the town and Prescotians.   

 

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Alex Spencer – Town Clerk

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