A MUCH-LOVED councillor who clocked up half a century’s service before he died last year has had a bench dedicated to his life.
Charles Wraith MBE, known to most as Charlie, was elected in 1974 and served for the Cudworth ward.
He became the first councillor to in Barnsley to receive a distinguished service award when he stepped down from his role due to his battle against oesophagus cancer.
He died aged 80 and, having left ‘significant donations’ to local groups, his family, friends and benefactors gathered at the bench’s unveil at Cudworth Park’s peace garden - which Charlie opened - on Wednesday.
The ornate bench - which features a train in its backrest given his passion for the railway - also has a plaque in his memory.
Cliff Gorman, from the Cudworth History Group, said: “Charlie was one of a kind and truly was the go-to guy in Cudworth.
“He supported us immensely and we thought the bench was a fitting tribute.
“He loved the peace gardens and came every Saturday.
“He’s much-missed and was extremely popular not just in Cudworth but across Barnsley, too.”
