WINSFORD MOURNS THE LOSS OF ‘ONE OFF’ CHARLIE PARKINSON
WINSFORD is mourning the loss of long-serving councillor Charlie Parkinson, who passed away at the end of January 2026.
Charlie was born in Liverpool in 1946 and started his working life as a seagoing mariner on commercial vehicles, mostly to the Far East and Hong Kong.
When he gave up his nautical work, Charlie married his late wife Ann in Liverpool, and they moved to Winsford shortly after they were married.
In Winsford, Charlie got involved in workers’ interests as a shop steward and was also a busy community activist where he lived on Alt Walk.
For example, Charlie fought for improvements to the areas around Crook Lane and Wharton Gardens as Chairman of the residents’ association.
Charlie also campaigned against parking charges at Leighton Hospital.
He was also instrumental in the development of a play area on Bradbury Road. Following time spent working in factories, Charlie set up his own taxi business with an office on the High Street, and for many years had a contract with the council as a driver, taking children with special needs to their respective schools.
In the late 1990s, Charlie was recruited to the Liberal Democrats and was elected to the newly formed Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2008, and served on the Council from 2008-2011.
Charlie was also elected to Winsford Town Council in 2008 and was a Town Councillor for many years during the period up to the present day.
Charlie served the community as a Town Councillor with a passion and involved himself fully in the work of the Town Council. As a Town Councillor and as a resident, Charlie campaigned for the Guildhall to be renovated and re-opened, following his time spent there working for the Citizens Advice Bureau. He also campaigned for accessible play equipment at all the Council’s parks and play areas, as well as working to get the toilets on the shopping centre re-opened.
Finally, he was instrumental in gaining recognition for James Clarke, born in Winsford, who won the VC towards the end of the First World War – this recognition included the naming of a street after James Clarke and the establishment of a memorial garden by the Winsford Lifestyle Centre.
Town Mayor Graham Newton commented “we were all shocked and saddened by Charlie’s passing – it really is a massive blow to the town and also to the Town Council”.
“Charlie was a hard-working councillor who campaigned on key issues facing the town and always placed his focus first and foremost on Winsford above anything else”.
“We held a minute’s silence for him at our last council meeting, and we hope to be able to recognise his memory and everything he did by naming a room at the Guildhall after him and also asking that a plaque is attached to the cross on Delamere Street, which was another of Charlie’s key projects”.
Cllr Newton concluded by saying,
“Charlie will be missed by everyone – he really was a one off”.
Charlie’s funeral will be at The Birches on 27th February 2026 at 10.15am. The dress code for Charlie’s funeral will be the traditional black and white, and floral tributes will be limited to close personal family only, but financial donations to St Lukes Hospice Winsford in memory of Charlie would be very welcome.
Town Council Contact: Mark Bailey, Town Clerk
E-mail: mbailey@winsford.gov.uk
Date: 5.2.26