KNUTSFORD lost one of its finest son’s this week.

Wilson Hamman, a former Mayor, town and borough councillor, as well as being a champion of all things Knutsford, died on Tuesday, February 10 at the age of 79 after battling cancer for the past year.

Born and bred in the town, Wilson joined the RAF in 1953 before leaving to return home in 1965. He then worked on the railways as a signalman at Northwich, held various roles at Manchester Airport and spent time as caretaker at the lower school site of Knutsford High.

Following the death of his wife, Pamela – who he met during his time in the RAF – Wilson entered the world of politics and was first elected to Macclesfield Borough Council and Knutsford Town Council in 1998.

After the creation of Cheshire East Council in 2008, Wilson carried on at town council level before standing down in 2011 – in 2010 he decided to cancel his membership of the Tatton Conservative Association in protest at the Conservative-led coalition’s cuts to defence spending, benefits and housing.

In his spare time he also volunteered on the East Lancashire Railway as well as the Llangollen Railway.

He had a son, Richard, and daughter Wendy, who he lived with in north Wales when he was ill.

“You always got the feeling that he helped people and he wasn’t political about it,” Richard said.

“If he thought something was wrong he tried to put it right and help people. He worked for the British Legion in the same way, making sure people got their fair share if they were in any difficulty.

“He was always a passionate supporter of public transport because he never drove so it was either pushbike, walking or using public transport to get around.”

But it was not just the political side of life that Wilson was involved in – he was a regular in the annual Royal May Day as well as playing a significant role in the Santa and reindeer parade at Christmas time.

“Since about 1975 me and dad carried the Sedan chair in the Royal May Day,” he added.

“That has started a bit of a dynasty really and we’re debating whether my two sons carry it on this year as I’m in my mid 50s now.

“We first decided to do it after the Guardian put an appeal out for Sedan chair men and ‘Jack in the Green’ and I fancied being the ‘Jack in the Green’ but we went for the Sedan Chair as it meant we could do it together.”

Wilson leaves his children Richard and Wendy and six grandchildren, Michael, Thomas, Chloe, John, Jennifer and Alexander.

His funeral will take place on Friday, February 27 at St Vincent De Paul RC Church in Knutsford at 12pm.