Tributes to former Walsall mayor after death age 91
Tributes have been paid to former Walsall Mayor and Conservative Party stalwart Ted Moorman who has died aged 91.
A minute’s silence was observed at the full meeting of Walsall Council on Monday in memory of Mr Moorman, who served as the town’s civic leader in 1993-94.
He represented the Hatherton and Paddock wards during his time as an elected member, which included two stints on the old Walsall Borough Council between 1964-66 and 1967-72 and twice when the authority became a metropolitan borough council between 1978-94 and 1999-2003.
At the meeting, current council leader Mike Bird fondly remembered several stories, which included disagreements he had with Mr Moorman and his allies Philip Wood and Bert Smith – who were dubbed the “Three Musketeers”.
One such clash with the trio led to a vote of no confidence in Councillor Bird in 2000 and saw him replaced as leader by Tom Ansell.
But despite their differences, Councillor Bird said he was sad to hear the news of his death.
He said: “Ted was a long serving member of the council. I wouldn’t say we were enemies but we weren’t close friends to say the least.
“There were the Three Musketeers – Ted, Philip Wood and Bert Smith who are also no longer with us – and they were very interesting times indeed.
“Ted was exceptional at finance and so was always the portfolio holder.
"He was very much a long-standing Conservative first in Hatherton ward and then in Paddock.
“He was never everyone’s friend but he was very much loyal to the cause and Conservative through and through so I’m sad to say he is gone but he was 91 and had a good innings.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Ian Shires, whose party entered into coalition with the Tories to form the Walsall administration in 2000, added: “We were in a cabinet meeting and sat around the table and there was an item on the agenda that I didn’t agree with.
“Back then, if we didn’t all agree with it, it simply didn’t happen. But Ted said, ‘surely what we do is have a vote and go with the majority’.
“I said no and reminded him that it wasn’t a Conservative cabinet and he didn’t like that so left the room, slamming the door behind him!
“I would like to add our condolences to his family and friends.”
Walsall Labour group leader Aftab Nawaz also added condolences from his party to Mr Moorman’s family.
