Tributes have been paid to much-loved former Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Brian Briggs, who has died aged 86.
Mr Briggs was Mayor of the borough in 2009/10 and served as a councillor for Skelton in East Cleveland from 2003 to 2015.
Current Mayor, Cllr Ian Hart, led the tributes, passing on condolences to the family on behalf of the borough and described Mr Briggs as, “a man who loved and served his community who was clearly held in high regard by all who knew him.”
As well as serving at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Mr Briggs was a parish councillor at Skelton and Brotton Parish Council for 20 years. He also served as Chair of Cleveland Fire Authority and, with his wife, Margaret, was very well known for running the Duke of William Inn in Skelton from 1986 to 2000.
A father-of-three, grandfather and great-grandfather, Mr Briggs was known to generations of children as Father Christmas.
His son, Peter Briggs, explained that he took on the role of Santa at about 30 venues every year for more than 20 years, donating any payments to Zoe’s Place Children’s Hospice in Normanby.
Peter Briggs said:
“My father was a lovely man and will be missed by so many people. It’s been heartwarming to see hundreds of messages online. He was known by many, many people and was absolutely committed to his community. But his family came first. He loved his role as Father Christmas and looked the part and was sad when his health no longer allowed him to take on the role. He enjoyed being a councillor – he just really loved working for people. On behalf of the family, I’d like to thank the nurses and staff at Yew Tree Care Centre in Redcar who looked after dad in his final days after looking after our mother in 2023 too.”
Peter Briggs added that his father was originally from South Terrace in South Bank and was married to Margaret for 63 years, until she passed away in 2023. The family moved to Skelton in the early 1970s and became very well known, especially at Skelton Castle Cricket Club.
For many years, Mr Briggs worked as a bricklayer at former Middlesbrough FC Chairman Charles Amer’s construction company. He then worked at British Steel, lining the coke ovens from the 1960s to 1980s before becoming a publican.
Mayor, Cllr Ian Hart said:
“This is very sad news. I’m sure I speak on behalf of everybody at the council and far beyond when I pass on condolences to Brian’s family and friends. He was a man who loved and served his community with commitment and dignity and who was clearly held in high regard by all who knew him.”
Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Cllr Alec Brown said:
“My heart goes to out Brian’s family and all those who knew him. Brian was a dedicated councillor and servant of his community. He threw himself into the role of Mayor as he did with so many things in life. He will be sorely missed.”
In Mr Briggs’ time as Mayor, he raised more than £10,000 for Zoe’s Place and the Great North Air Ambulance. His funeral will be held on Friday 16 January at Skelton All Saints Church at 1.30pm.
Donations are welcome for either MacMillan Nurses or local animal charity Maxi’s Mates via Funeral Notices where it is also possible to pay tribute to him.