FAMILY and friends of the late Barnsley councillor Alan Gardiner paid tribute to him in Goldthorpe last week.

Alan, who died in 2022 aged 72, represented Dearne North for more than 30 years following his election in 1988 - and was described as an ‘outstanding servant to his community’.

A commemorative stone engraved with the late councillor’s name has now been installed at the Horse and Groom Square in Goldthorpe.

His widow, Janet Gardiner, was joined by Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton,and fellow councillors to pay tribute

The dedication stone is on the former site of the Horse and Groom pub, where Coun Gardiner first met his wife, and the couple had often enjoyed dancing together.

Janet said: “Alan was my hero and an amazing man.

“I wanted a special place in Goldthorpe, where we met and happily courted inside the Horse and Groom, sitting in the bar together for many nights happily watching the world go by.

“Alan was a councillor for Barnsley for almost 35 years, serving the Dearne so passionately, and a Barnsley lad through and through.”

Coun Houghton added: “Alan was an outstanding servant for the people of the Dearne and an outstanding Member of Barnsley Council’s cabinet.

“He served with great passion, commitment, and honesty - and was in no small way responsible for Barnsley being the successful organisation that it is.

“His passing was huge loss to his family, friends, Barnsley Council and the Dearne.

“It is only fitting that he will be permanently remembered with this tribute at the heart of the community he served so passionately for more than 30 years.”