Paying Farewell Respect to Roger Horton Freeman of the Borough of Sandwell

Today three former West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority Chairs with former PTA member Judith Rowley, attended the funeral of former colleague and Sandwell Councillor Roger Hortons funeral at Sandwell Crematorium.

Pictured here together is Cllr John McNicolas, Cllr Richard Worrall, and Cllr Phil Bateman, all former PTA chairs, with former PTA member Judith Rowley. With Linda Horton – Rogers wife, and Mayoress during Rogers time as Mayor of the Borough. whom we were paying our respects too.

We were all moved by the ceremony which was well attended. Roger besides making a huge contribution to West Midlands Transport over three decades and more. Was a former Cllr in Smethwick, Former Mayor of Sandwell, as well as being a Freeman of the Borough.

Roger was a fantastic colleague who was close to his roots. We were pleased to be able to attend. We spoke with Rogers wife Linda, who was a powerful local politician in her own rite and was also Mayor of the Borough, and their family.

I made a small tribute to Roger during the service, and I had the legions of people that knew and worked with Roger at the PTA, Centro and the West Midlands Integrated Aurthority, and others working in public transport, in my head as I spoke.

I know they like me would recognise, that he had made his contribution to public transport and to his Community in Smethwick and Sandwell. Rest in Peace Roger. We will always speak with warmth and feeling about you, a very dedicated local politician always close to the community he served.

Phil Bateman

Phil Bateman is Married to Mary and lives in Wednesfield North. He was a long serving local politician having served previously on the now defunct West Midlands County Council... read more

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