A UNION stalwart who will have completed 70 years service next year had his dedication rewarded at the December meeting of Burnley Trades Council.

Bernard Bromley, 85, of Eastern Avenue, Burnley, joined the union in 1930, when he worked for the electrical department of Burnley Corporation.

Paying tribute to Bernard, County Coun Terry Burns, secretary of the Amalgamated Engineers and Electrical Union Burnley branch, recalled Bernard's life in historical events of the decades from the First World War to Pluto being discovered, the 48-hour week Bill to former Prime Minister Lloyd George dying.

From Rock Around the Clock to Harold Macmillan becoming Prime Minister, from Burnley Football Club being top of the First Division to Vietnam, the first heart transplant to John Wayne dying.

Bernard has worked as an electrician with various local firms over the years and in 1945 he was elected shop steward. Ten years later he was elected to the engineering advisory committee and money steward of the electrical branch. In 1960 he was elected president of Burnley Electrical Branch, a position which he held for 19 years. In 1965 he became a founder member of Burnley Trades Council and he also stood as a Labour candidate in the Burnley Council elections.

While he worked for Mullards (now Philips), he was elected president of Burnley Trades Council in 1967.

His service was recalled at a meeting at Burnley Town Hall, when County Coun Burns presented Bernard with an inscribed carriage clock, a certificate of service and a collection of union badges. Bernard's wife, Vera, was presented with flowers.

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