Donald Rigg, estate agent

Donald Rigg, who has died at 86, was a former Mayor of Todmorden who had, as an independent candidate in the 1960s, achieved local fame by campaigning across the town in a car with a loudspeaker on top.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Feb 2018, 09:34 BST
Donald and Annette RiggDonald and Annette Rigg
Donald and Annette Rigg

Originally an accountant, he took a degree in politics and economics at Manchester University after National Service, and went into export sales, supplementing his income by getting agencies with several of the major motor insurers of the day.

Private motoring was booming at the time and he later branched out into other forms of insurance, eventually turning full time, expanding into offices at the Masonic Hall.

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He also moved into estate agency and eventually had offices in Burnley and Hebden Bridge. The Todmorden and Hebden Bridge agencies survive today as Reeds-Rains.

Turning to politics, he gained a seat on the old Borough Council and became a member of Todmorden Civic Trust. During his Mayoral year of 1970-71 it was decided to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the borough charter and he chaired the committee which coordinated the arrangements.

In later life he moved to Hebden Bridge and was involved in the running of Old Town Cricket Club and Midgehole Working Men’s Club.

Related topics:TodmordenHebden BridgeMasonic HallBurnley