David RobertMORRISMr David Robert Morris, of St. Oswalds Vicarage, Bank Lane, passed away on August 22, aged 67 years. David was a Town Planner, with a specialism in the care and restoration of historic buildings. He gained a Master of Civic Design degree from the University of Liverpool. During his career he worked for a number of Local Authorities in the North west: Burnley, Pendle, Tameside, Rochdale, Blackburn and, latterly at Hyndburn Council. He was passionate about Accrington Town Centre and through the Townscape Heritage lnitiative he worked with building owners, architects and funders to restore some of the town’s finest buildings, many of which are now also back in use. David also spent time working on Accrington Market Hall, the Town Hall, listed buildings on Cannon Street, and Black Abbey Street which he spent many hours researching. The stable block at the Haworth Art Gallery is also a fabulous scheme that David steered through to completion. It was whilst he was Conservation Officer at Rochdale Council that he developed a special interest in the work of the pioneering nineteenth/ twentieth century Middleton Architect, Edgar Wood. David was a founder member and the Chair of the Edgar Wood Society, and was part way through writing a book about Wood. David’s expertise in the care, conservation and restoration of historic buildings was sought by a number of conservation trusts in the North West including the Heritage Trust for the North West until recently run by his friend, John Milter, and latterly the Greater Manchester Historic Buildings Conservation Trust. His friend, the photographer Andy Marshall writes ‘he knew how to save buildings by inspiring others to take action. He knew how to get the best out of people so that they could move on and take care of the places they lived in. David made incoherent buildings, places, streetscapes, town-centres coherent again. He brought fractured places and people together so that they had a story to tell which ultimately contributed to a powerful sense of community and wellbeing.’ ln his spare time David was an accomplished classical guitarist and was also a person of faith: he was Church Warden at St Oswald’s Church in Knuzden, where his wife is the Vicar. He also loved photography, history, walking, archaeology, watching cricket, and gardening - he was very keen to encourage wildlife and biodiversity. David was brought up in Birmingham, the second of four children all of whom survive him. He had been married to Anne tor 41 years. They had two children, Anna and Joe, and a beloved granddaughter, Nessie. He died on August 2 after having been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in May. Although a quiet man, David had a wide circle of friends and will be missed by many. There will be a reception into St. Oswald’s C/E Church on Thursday, September 8 at 7pm for family members. On Friday, September 9, the funeral service will take place in St. Oswald’s C/E Church, Knuzden, Blackburn at 12:30pm led by Rev. Nicholas Heale followed by Cremation at 3:40pm at Accrington Crematorium. Family flowers only please, but donations if desired to St Oswald’s Church or Greater Manchester Building Preservation Trust. Funeral Directors: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
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