Tributes to former Hyndburn mayor who transformed the lives of young people
Tributes have been paid to an ex-Mayor of Hyndburn who was "true to his word" and transformed the lives of youths by helping them stay off the streets. Maurice Samuel Cowell of Richmond Road, Accrington passed away from multiple organ failure and sepsis on August 21 at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 90.
The beloved father-of-three was the Mayor of Hyndburn in 1997/98. He was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman in 2005.
The grandfather-of-13 transformed a derelict piece of land off Exchange Street in Springhill Accrington into a play area with climbing frames, picnic benches, swings, slides, gardens and a playing field for football for young people to enjoy. He won the Shell Better Britain Award in 1993 for his incredible work turning it into a thriving place for the community to enjoy.
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Maurice was deputy mayor in 1996/97 and was a well respected Labour Councillor for Hyndburn between 1991 and 1999.
His son, Renie, said: “He was true to his word. He was a very honest person and he was very proud to have been the mayor."
Maurice organised family fun days to raise funds for the Neighbourhood Watch, which he formed with his good friend John Wells and others to tackle crime in the 90s in the Springhill area of the town. The Neighbourhood Watch team was named regional winner of The Neighbourhood Watch Awards in 1992 which was given to recognise the “exceptional progress and success achieved by the Neighbourhood Watch”.
They also were awarded the Granada Landscape Award and were chosen as the top five Neighbourhood Watch group in the UK, according to Renie. Maurice and John also opened a youth club in 1991 in Springhill at the top of Richmond Road to give five to 18-year-olds something to do to keep them off the streets, from snooker games and darts to discos.
Mr Cowell was born to parents William and Mary and raised in Blackburn with his sisters Hilda and Francis and briefly lived in Portobello, Edinburgh before settling in Accrington around the 70s. He then met his wife Margaret who served as Mayoress alongside him when he was Mayor of Hyndburn.
The couple would attend events at schools, churches and charity fundraisers and raised money for numerous good causes like Only Foals and Horses Sanctuary in Oswaldtwistle. In later years Maurice who was an HGV driver for Thwaites Brewery in his working life, enjoyed taking his grandchildren on trips to the seaside where they would enjoy fish and chips.
Maurice was an avid supporter of Blackburn Rovers and loved doing work on old cars and then selling them on. He took son Renie fishing in the summer holidays at the River Ribble, took great pride in his garden and loved planting colourful summer flowers.
Maurice, Margaret and their children Renie, Helen Louise and Michelle enjoyed holidays abroad every year and had adventures in many countries such as Tunisia, Greece and Spain.
Councillor Munsif Dad, leader of the council, said: “The council is saddened by his death and the union flag has been flown at half-mast as a mark of respect. We offer our condolences to all of his friends and family.”
Councillor Bernard Dawson added: “I remember Maurice as an excellent councillor who served the residents of St Andrew’s ward for many years. My condolences go out to his family at this time.”