Carlisle councillors paid tribute to one of their own in the chamber this week.
Tributes were paid to former Carlisle City Council member for Upperby, Donald Cape, who died recently.
Mr Cape was elected for the Labour group in 2008 and served Upperby until 2016 which was then a separate ward to Currock.
The ward councillor, a champion of his community, served under Colin Glover in his time as leader of the council.
Councillor Glover said: “Although we had separate wards in Currock and Upperby, and it’s together now, we always worked as a team.
“He was a quiet member of this council but when he stood up, he was always worth listening to. He was determined to represent his constituents.”
Coun Glover said that Mr Cape was well liked and respected by councillors and officers alike.
He added: “He was always fair. He was always trying to find the right solution, whether it was in politics, whether it was in his professional life, or whether it was in the things he did as a volunteer. He really was a community politician who was really highly respected.”
Mr Cape was a passionate trustee of Petteril Bank Community Hall.
Coun Marilyn Bowman, a member of the executive, said: “I honestly feel he was a true community councillor. Yes he had his politics but he put the community first and I think that’s a real tribute to him and how he behaved as well in the council was exemplary.”
As well as his political career, Mr Cape leaves behind a legacy in sport, having nurtured the talents of the next generation in squash.
Coun Glover said: “Outside his politics he was a very keen sportsman, he spent a lot of time helping and playing at Carlisle Squash Club and then going on to be a coach particularly working with young people.
“When we came to do the outside body appointments for the council he approached me and said, ‘I know I’m a fairly new member, but would it be possible to represent the council on Carlisle Sports Forum?’
“And there was no better I could have thought of than Donald to do that role, because of his experience as a coach, encouraging people to get involved in sport, he was the right person and he represented this council well on the Carlisle Sports Board.”
Mr Cape was awarded the Hazel Tait Award in 2010 for his 20 years of service to Carlisle Squash Club.
