Tributes have been paid to a person described as a true giant of Salford History.
Ben Wallsworth who passed away in his sleep aged 103, as chairman of the SalfordCouncil Planning Committee, is credited with leading the vision and the implementation of the creation of the regeneration of Salford Quays.
He represented the Blackfriars, Weaste and Langworthy wards as a councillor for 44 years, was also Salford’s mayor from 2002-3.
He was awarded the freedom of the City in 2019
Ben was born in Ordsall and was an engineer by trade, joining the Territorial Army at 19 but signed up with the Royal Army Service Corps when it became apparent war was about to break out.
He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the Second World War in July 1940.
Mr Wallsworth became interested in politics after campaigning in Ordsall to open up school playgrounds in the evening to provide safe spaces for children to play. His idea led to Salford reviving play streets in the 1980s – an idea the city had pioneered in the 1930s – creating traffic free spaces where children could play safely.
As chairman of the planning committee, Ben was instrumental in making the case to the City Council to buy part of the former docks for £1 million back in 1983. Ben’s intervention catalysed the revival of Salford’s derelict docks into the media, digital & tech hub of today
Ben is also credited with creating Worsley Greenway, a planning covenant whose aim is to protect land between Monton & Worsley from developers to this day & was instrumental in the creation of the Red Rose Forest project, launched in 1991 in the Croal Valley.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said on Twitter
“Many of the things enjoyed today in the City of Salford are thanks to the bravery, service & foresight of Ben & those that held public office before us. My thoughts & prayers are with Ben’s family & friends at this time, he will be forever in our thoughts & never forgotten!”
Former councillor Derek Antrobus who worked alongside Mr Wallsworth for more than 30 years said:
“He was always keen on creating good spaces for people to enjoy their lives and he was a green campaigner before it was even a thing.
“He often talked of buses running on hydrogen gas which he had seen in Canada where he had family and in addition to Red Rose Forest and the Greenway he championed the council taking over Blackleach reservoir which many were not convinced about. Ben tenaciously fought his corner and we now have a beautiful country park. I often pause to think of him when I visit. I have many special memories of a wonderful man who did so much for Salford.”
Tom Stannard, current Chief Executive of Salford City Council, said:
“Salford has benefitted so much from the life and work of Mr Wallsworth. He leaves behind a real legacy in the green and urban spaces he helped to shape in the city he loved and our city is all the richer for it.”
