A plaque commemorating late Councillor John (Jack) Collingswood who passed away in 2008 following a long battle with vascular dementia was unveiled at Bilston Town Hall on Tuesday (31 October).

The service and plaque unveiling to mark his long standing commitment to public service was attended by the late Councillors’ family, friends and former colleagues.

Mr Collingswood represented Bilston East ward as a Councillor from 1983 for over 17 years serving on numerous committees including, most notably, as Chair of the Personnel Committee for many years. 

As Convener at one of Bilston’s largest employers at the time, Cannon Industries, Mr Collingswood was a very well known individual, becoming further recognised more widely as the West Midlands District Secretary of the engineering trade union, the AEU (now Unite). 

Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Simkins said: “Jack Collingswood was a true pillar of the community and it was a pleasure to work alongside him. He was presented with a Merit award by the Labour Party for loyal and long standing service and if his health would have allowed, would have continued as a councillor to achieve rightful recognition for his dedicated service to the people of Bilston and, Wolverhampton.

Unfortunately, due to failing health he was unable to continue representing the community of Bilston as a Councillor and was forced to retire without being awarded ‘Alderman’ status so it’s only fitting now that we have this plaque in place.”

The commemorative plaque to Mr John (Jack) Collingswood was organised through City of Wolverhampton Council’s City Assets team following a request from the Collingswood family.