A Labour councillor who died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve was well-respected 'across the whole floor' no matter the political persuasion. Brian Lohan, who represented the Portland ward on Mansfield District Council, died on December 24 at the age of 61.
He was first elected in February 2010 in a by-election, before going on to be re-elected three times. Councillor Phil Shields (Ind) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service Mansfield would now be a 'worse place' without Mr Lohan.
“I was devastated,” he said. “He was well-liked across the whole floor whether you were Conservative, Labour or the Mansfield Independents.
“Everyone had respect for Brian. Sometimes you vote because you are told to vote a certain way by your group, but it never made a difference to me and Brian.
“Whatever happened in the council chamber, stayed in the chamber.” Mr Lohan was vice-chairman of Mansfield District Council from 2011 to 2012, before going on to become chairman the same year. He was presented with a Past Chair’s Medal by the former elected Mayor, Tony Egginton, in May 2013.
As well as serving as the chairman in Mansfield, he also sat as a chair of the twinning association of Heiligenhaus, Germany, which the town is twinned with. Cllr Shields said he had known Mr Lohan since at least the early 2000s, when he was made very aware of his hidden 'competitive side' during pool games at The Talbot Inn pub.
Cllr Shields’ brother was also fond of Mr Lohan. Both had been miners and members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
Mr Lohan had worked at Thoresby pit, which opened in 1925 and was the last remaining operational colliery in Nottinghamshire until its closure in 2015. “Mansfield is a worse place without him,” Cllr Shields added.
“As a friend I will miss him.” Mr Lohan was also a trustee of the Brunts Charity, an organisation which promotes independent living for residents in the district.
As well as representing the council in the Heilegenhaus Twinning Association, he also did so for the Allotment Trustees, the Queen Elizabeth’s Trust, Mansfield Education Foundation and the National Association for British Market Authorities. Cllr Paul Henshaw, chairman of the Mansfield Constituency Labour Party, added: “I am deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Cllr Brian Lohan.
“Brian was a hardworking, passionate councillor who worked for all his residents. He was also a proud ex-miner and solid NUM member.
“He loved Mansfield and always said he wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. On a personal note, I have known Brian since he was a member of the 6th Mansfield Boy’s Brigade, an organisation he generously supported.
“The Labour movement has lost an activist and stalwart member. It has been an honour to be Brian’s friend and comrade.”
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