Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Colin Wedd died at his home near Hampole on December 27. He was 82.

After taking a languages degree at Durham University following his National Service, he got a job teaching in Doncaster.

He had served with the Royal Artillery, learning to ride for the first time, leading to a lifelong interest in horses.

Colin Wedd, founder of the South Yorkshire Art Gallery. He is pictured in the gallery on Kings Road, Doncaster. Picture: Chris Bull D6319CB

He took a job at Don Valley High School, initially planning to stay three years. He stayed 25 years, retiring as the head of sixth form and as chairman of governors in the 1990s.

He played a significant role in Doncaster Labour Party. He was president of the Doncaster and District NUT, a parish councillor and then chairman of the district Labour Party.

Towards the end of his life the Labour Party awarded him its Order of Merit.

In 1981 he won a seat on the old South Yorkshire County Council, and was made secretary of the Labour Group in 1982.

Doncaster Mansion House. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP-13-10-18-MansionHouse-2

During that time he was involved in setting up the Northern Racing College at Rossington Hall, also setting up the venue’s Riding for the Disabled Association.

He was elected to Doncaster Council in 1992, and became leader in 1998. But he resigned in 2001 after he was inverviewed by police who were investigating the Donnygate Scandal over expenses fraud at the council. Expenses fraud allegations were dropped due to lack of evidence.

Mr Wedd also founded a small art gallery in the centre of Doncaster.

Family friend John Cornwell, said: “He made a big positive impact on every organisation with which he was associated, and so many people will readily attest to his humour, his courtesy, his wise counsel and his true and durable friendship, despite coping within indifferent health for long periods of his life.”

Former Doncaster Council leader, Councillor Colin Wedd.

He leaves a widow, Stancee, to whom he was very happily married for two decades.

Rossington Hall Riding for the Disabled said in a statement: “Colin was dedicated to RDA and had worked hard for the group for over 30 years. He only retired as a trustee in 2019.He will be sadly missed. Our sympathy goes to Stancee and his family.”

High profile former Doncaster politician dies