By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Politicians and family members have paid tribute to a “no-nonsense” and “principled” Hucknall councillor following his death from cancer.
Councillor Jim Blagden (Ash Ind), who represented Hucknall Central on Ashfield District Council, died after a battle with leukaemia on Sunday (July 31) at the age of 74.
The councillor, a former master bricklayer, first aid instructor at St John’s Ambulance and school caretaker, leaves behind his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years Sheila alongside numerous family members.
His death comes just months after he ‘rang the bell’ on an initial battle with the disease in February this year, with Cllr Blagden given the all-clear before the cancer returned.
During his career in politics, he spearheaded the council’s Covid-19 recovery panel and was most recently the assistant cabinet member for corporate communications and environmental improvements.
He also campaigned for improvements to Hucknall Leisure Centre – including the new learner pool currently under construction – and for more events in the town, including the Food and Drink Festival.
Cllr Dave Hennigan (Ind), who worked closely with Cllr Blagden on these projects, paid tribute to his “fiercely supportive” friend.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Jim and I talked every day during the Covid-19 pandemic, sometimes on multiple occasions.
“He was fiercely supportive of his family and his neighbours in Hucknall in equal measures. He was a results man, not interested in how a problem came about – he just wanted to solve it.
“I am not an emotional person but came as close as I have done to tears in the last council meeting when talking about working with Jim.
“I will miss working with Jim but Hucknall is a better place for Jim’s immense contribution to Hucknall life.
“We will be asking residents to toast Jim’s life at the third Hucknall Food and Drink Festival on Sunday, August 21 – after all, the whole thing was Jim’s idea.”
Calvin Blagden, Cllr Bladgen’s son, also paid tribute to his father on behalf of their family.
He 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.
“He 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.
“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.”
And Cllr Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), leader of Ashfield District Council, paid tribute to Cllr Blagden on behalf of the Ashfield Independents group.
He 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.
“My thoughts go out to Sheila and the family.”
Outside of politics, Cllr Blagden was a season ticket holder at Nottingham Forest and also spent time painting dozens of watercolour pictures from his Hucknall home.
The council says it will be working with the Blagden family to find the best way to commemorate his life.
