Many older members of the Local Studies Group will be sad to hear that Morris Garratt died on 5th September at the age of 84. He was a founder member of the North West Branch of LSG and served on the committee until it was wound up a few years ago. His unfailing good nature and extensive knowledge of the history of the area was a great support to the group. He was Local Studies Librarian in Middleton, a district of Rochdale MBC, until retirement.
He was born in Warrington and arrived in Middleton with limited knowledge of its history – so every weekend he took home a bound volume of the local newspaper to read through and get a sense of the area. A sign of his conscientiousness and commitment – and of the more relaxed attitudes of a previous era! After retirement he was active in many local history societies in the north west and, until recent years, seemed to have endless energy to study and promote local history. Many people involved in these societies remember his welcoming attitude and his books and articles in many journals will benefit local historians of the future.
Alice Lock, LSG Secretary
CILIP Local Studies Group 