Bernard Peter Atha CBE (27 August 1928 – 22 October 2022) was an English politician and actor. He served as Lord Mayor of Leeds and was a major figure in the arts and sport in West Yorkshire and elsewhere; he also appeared in a number of films.
Bernard Atha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lord Mayor of Leeds | |
| In office 2000–2001 | |
| Preceded by | Keith Parker |
| Succeeded by | David Hudson |
| Leeds City Councillor for Kirkstall Ward | |
| In office 1973–2014 | |
| Preceded by | R. Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Fiona Venner |
| Leeds City Councillor for Holbeck Ward | |
| In office 1969–1973 | |
| Preceded by | W. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Ward abolished |
| Leeds City Councillor for City Ward | |
| In office 1957–1968 | |
| Preceded by | E. Stubbs |
| Succeeded by | Ward abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bernard Peter Atha 27 August 1928 Leeds, England |
| Died | 22 October 2022 (aged 94) |
| Political party | Labour |
| Education | Lawnswood School |
| Alma mater | University of Leeds |
Life and career
editAtha was born in Leeds on 27 August 1928, and educated at Leeds Modern School, now Lawnswood School, and the University of Leeds.[1]
In Ken Loach's film Kes (1969) Atha played the part of the Careers Officer who genuinely tries to suggest various career possibilities to the completey disinterested scoolboy, Billy, but the interview's outcome "throws Billy on the scrap heap".[2] He also had small roles in the Ken Loach films Family Life (1971) and Black Jack (1979). Atha's television credits include roles in the series All Creatures Great and Small, Sherlock Holmes, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Last of the Summer Wine.
Atha served as Lord Mayor of Leeds from 2000 to 2001.[3] During his mayoralty he selected 18 "high-profile, well-known Yorkshire women" to act in turn as his Lady Mayoress, a role traditionally taken by the spouse or another family member of the mayor.[4]
Atha was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2007 Birthday Honours "for services to the Arts and to the community in Leeds",[5] having earlier been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1991 New Year Honours "for services to Sport, particularly Sport for the Disabled".[6] He died on 22 October 2022, at the age of 94.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Bernard Atha CBE: Chairman & President". Board of Directors. UK Sports Association. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ Golding, Simon W. (2014). "Bernard Atha OBE - Youth Employment Officer". Life after Kes. Andrews UK. ISBN 9781910295311.
- ^ "Lord Mayors & Aldermen of Leeds since 1626" (PDF). Leeds City Council. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ Hutchison, Helen (18 May 2001). "Bernard and his Ladies". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "No. 58358". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 16 June 2007. p. 7.
- ^ "No. 9". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 28 December 1990. p. 9.
- ^ Newton, Grace (23 October 2022). "Hands-on former Leeds councillor Bernard Atha who had acting roles in Kes and Coronation Street has died". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
External links
edit- Bernard Atha at IMDb
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