Tributes pour in after death of former Doncaster mayor and miners' union stalwart

Trade unionist Frank Arrowsmith, who has died.

Frank Arrowsmith, who served as mayor of Edlington and was described as a ‘miners’ champion,’ died yesterday morning, a brief family statement said.

A post on Facebook said: “It’s with deep sadness that as a family we are sharing the news Frank passed away peacefully this morning.

"He was at home with Brenda and the girls by his side. We please ask that at this time we have some privacy as a family and we will update everyone on arrangements when we have them.”

Mr Arrowsmith, 71, spent twenty years working with the town’s mental health services and served on Edlington Town Council, enjoying a stint as Mayor.

But he was best known for fighting for the cause of the town's pitworkers, serving as the union official for the National Union of Mineworkers at Yorkshire Main pit during the year long Miners’ Strike of 1984-85.

He was a regular at the Durham Miners’ Gala and a champion of left wing causes and social projects.

Born in Edlington. his family had moved there from the Durham coalfields in the '30s and '40s where the pits were being shut.

In 1964, he left school at 15 - like the majority of his classmates - and went to work with his dad at Yorkshire Main.

It was there he developed a taste for trade unionism and even after the strike ended, he continued to fight for the plight of miners, calling for an inquiry into the unrest and also Orgreave, a violent confrontation between miners and police in Rotherham in 1984 which has long been seen as one of the most controversial flashpoints of the strike.

Tributes have poured in for Mr Arrowsmith since the news of his death was announced.

John Dunn said: “I last met Frank at last year's Durham Miners Gala. It has left me absolutely gutted to hear of his death today.

“An ever present at all our events, demonstrations etc, had we been able to hold our events this year, he would have been there.

“It is be hard to imagine never seeing him and spending time with him again.

“Frank was, obviously, a fellow solid and veteran of all the momentous events of that Great Strike.

“A battle hardened class warrior, he never shirked from our fight to save our jobs, communities and industry, but, alongside that, he was a caring and compassionate man.

“After the loss of our industry he worked tirelessly to keep his local community, abandoned by both Tory and Labour governments, alive.

“We have lost a giant of our struggle.

“My thoughts and condolences go out to his family.

“Rest in Power, comrade.”

Danny Buckley wrote: “Sad to hear of the passing of this Yorkshire legend,” while Sheena Moore: “So sorry to hear of the passing of Frank Arrowsmith today.

"It's with great sadness I write this post. Frank was a first class socialist, striking miner and class fighter. I wish to pay my respects to his family and say Frank was a great comrade and friend to all who knew him. RIP Frank we have lost a good one in you.”