Former Rotherham mayor who championed workers and children dies aged 78

Retired steelworker Peter Wootton, who was a Labour councillor for 35 years, served as the town’s first citizen from 2006-7.

His daughter Lindsay Wootton said her father was proud of his home town and would always champion Rotherham and his people.

“He had a really good life and made a significant impact by serving the community of Rotherham,” she said.

Mr Wootton, who died on Saturday after a short illness, was born in Kimberworth as one of eight children.

After leaving the former Kimberworth Comprehensive School at the age of 15, he joined Steel, Peech and Tozer as an office boy. 

He soon decided that office work was not for him and moved into the actual steel works at the start of what was a 40-year career with the Rotherham-based steel company.

However, he never forgot his education and while working obtained his City and Guilds qualification in steel making at Rotherham Technological College.

For 35 years, he was a shop steward for the ISTC — the Iron and Steel and Kindred Trades Association — and during that time attended Sheffield University for political and trade unions studies.  

He also studied extra mural studies in the Economics Department.

His lifelong interest in education resulted in him serving as a school governor for more than 30 years at Kimberworth Comprehensive School — filling the role of chairman for 16 years — at Meadowhall Junior School and then at Oakwood Technology College and Kimberworth Infant School, where he was also chair.

A council spokeswoman said: “Education had played a massive part in Peter’s life both from a personal point of view and as a school governor of over 30 years. 

“As a result, he firmly believed that children are our future with education playing a key role in both self-improvement and for the benefit of local society as a whole.”

After being elected to Rotherham Borough Council in 1982, Mr Wootton served the Kimberworth area for 20 years until 2002 and then the Boston Castle Ward from 2003 to 2015.

During his time on the authority, Mr Wootton held various positions within amenities and recreation, environmental health, social services.

He was a past chair of adult social serives and the adoption and fostering service and the first chair of the Social and Community Support Scrutiny Panel.

Mr Wootton was a member of the Yorkshire and Humberside Pollution Advisory Group, the vice-chair of the Licensing Committee and Board, and chair of the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority.

He was also a member of the Feoffees of the Common Lands of Rotherham and remained so following his retirement from Rotherham Council.

Mr and Mrs Wootton, who married at Rotherham Minster in 1963, had two daughters and three grandchildren together.

The family said in a statement: “There is nothing about the last 55 years that Jean would change as she recognises that Peter had a desire to better himself, represent the working class people of Rotherham and try his very best to effect positive change for his community. 

“His mantra was ‘If I can do it anyone can’.” 

During their year as Mayor and Mayoress, they raised funds for children's charities and the Urology Department at Rotherham Hospital.

Mr Wootton’s funeral will be held at Rotherham Minster next Tuesday at 12.30pm.