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{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
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{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|image= |
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| order=
| order=
| office= [[Directly elected mayor of Bedford|Mayor of Bedford]]
| office= [[Directly elected mayor of Bedford|Mayor of Bedford]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1939|5|9|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1939|5|9}}
| birth_place = Retford, Notts
| birth_place = [[Retford]], Nottinghamshire, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|8|14|1939|5|9|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2009|8|14|1939|5|9}}
| term_start = 6 October 2002
| term_start = 21 October 2002
| term_end = 14 August 2009
| term_end = 14 August 2009
| predecessor = New Office
| predecessor = New Office
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}}
}}


'''Frank Branston''' (9 May 1939 – 14 August 2009) was a journalist, novelist and newspaper proprietor, and the first [[elected mayors in the United Kingdom|directly elected mayor]] of the [[Bedford (borough)|Borough of Bedford]] in [[Bedfordshire]], [[England]].
'''Frank Branston''' (9 May 1939 – 14 August 2009) was a journalist, novelist and newspaper proprietor, and the first [[elected mayors in the United Kingdom|directly elected mayor]] of the [[Borough of Bedford]] in [[Bedfordshire]], England.


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Frank Branston was born in [[Retford]], [[Nottinghamshire]], brought up in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], west [[London]], and educated at Sloane Grammar School, Chelsea leaving in 1955 aged 16. He had been married to the German-born Marlies since 1968, and was the father of two children, Naomi (a lawyer) and Antonia (marketing).
Frank Branston was born in [[Retford]], Nottinghamshire, brought up in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], west London, and educated at Sloane Grammar School, Chelsea, leaving in 1955 aged 16. He married Marlies, originally from [[Germany]], in 1968, and was the father of two children: Naomi (a lawyer) and Antonia (marketing).


Prior to entering politics he was a journalist, although he was for a while a member of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] in the 1970s. In 1974 he was the first weekly newspaper owner to be honoured in national press awards. After launching his own newspapers he also received a number of other awards.
Prior to entering politics he was a journalist, although he was for a while a member of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] in the 1970s. In 1974 he was the first journalist on a weekly newspaper to be named as the National Press Awards' Provincial Journalist of the Year. After launching his own newspaper, Bedfordshire on Sunday, in 1977, he also received a number of other awards.


Branston was the owner of five local newspapers, [[Bedfordshire on Sunday]], '[[Luton]] on Sunday', '[[Hertfordshire]] on Sunday', '[[Leighton Buzzard]] on Sunday' and the '[[Milton Keynes]] News', with a total distribution approaching 400,000. He and his wife sold their 88% stake in the newspapers in 2005.<ref>[http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=550&ArticleID=1114396 Bedford Today - Sunday newspaper group is sold off]</ref> He was also the author of two novels, "Sergeant Ritchie's Conscience" (1978) and "An Up and Coming Man" (1977).<ref>[http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Search/Home?lookfor=author:%22Branston,%20Frank,%201939-%22&iknowwhatimean=1 NLA Catalogue listing]</ref>
Branston was the owner of five local newspapers: ''[[Bedfordshire on Sunday]]'', ''[[Luton]] on Sunday'', ''[[Hertfordshire]] on Sunday'', ''[[Leighton Buzzard]] on Sunday'' and the ''[[Milton Keynes]] News'', with a total distribution approaching 400,000. He and his wife sold their 88% stake in the newspapers in 2005.<ref>[http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=550&ArticleID=1114396 Bedford Today – Sunday newspaper group is sold off] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051123021212/http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=550&ArticleID=1114396 |date=23 November 2005 }}</ref> He was also the author of two novels, "Sergeant Ritchie's Conscience" (1978) and "An Up and Coming Man" (1977).<ref>[http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Search/Home?lookfor=author:%22Branston,%20Frank,%201939-%22&iknowwhatimean=1 NLA Catalogue listing]</ref>


==Religion==
==Religion==
He described his religion as "non-practising" [[Judaism|Jewish]], and was the town's second Jewish mayor&mdash;coincidentally following on from the first Jewish mayor of the town. Talking about a visit to a local school arranged by the [[Board of Deputies]].
Branston described himself as a "non-practising" Jew, and was the town's second Jewish mayor—coincidentally following on from the first Jewish mayor of the town. Talking about a visit to a local school arranged by the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]], he said:


:''Bedford Modern gave room for a travelling exhibition at the request of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and asked me to open it. I am sure they were not aware that I am Jewish (non-practising). I pointed out that while Bedford is certainly one of the oldest boroughs in the country, having been chartered in 1166, it had to wait a long time before getting its first Jewish mayor, Cllr Judith Cunningham in 2002. I succeeded her. Isn’t that always the way? You wait 836 years for a Jewish Mayor then two come along at once.''.<ref>[http://frankbranston.co.uk/wordpress/?p=55 Frank Branston's blog - It was all absolutely Kosher]</ref>
:''Bedford Modern gave room for a travelling exhibition at the request of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and asked me to open it. I am sure they were not aware that I am Jewish (non-practising). I pointed out that while Bedford is certainly one of the oldest boroughs in the country, having been chartered in 1166, it had to wait a long time before getting its first Jewish mayor, Cllr Judith Cunningham in 2002. I succeeded her. Isn’t that always the way? You wait 836 years for a Jewish Mayor then two come along at once.''.<ref>[http://frankbranston.co.uk/wordpress/?p=55 Frank Branston's blog – It was all absolutely Kosher] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826191826/http://frankbranston.co.uk/wordpress/?p=55 |date=26 August 2009 }}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
Frank Branston stood as an independent in the borough's first direct election for mayor in 2002,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2339617.stm BBC News - Bedford goes for Branston]</ref> backed at the time by the Better Bedford Independent Party, which has since announced that it will field no further candidates.<ref>[http://www.bedsonsunday.com/bedsonsunday-news/DisplayArticle.asp?id=81256 Party's over for Better Bedford]</ref> His platform was based on encouraging investment in the town and on focussing on getting things done rather than on party politics (the borough and the county both had a history of hung councils and unimplemented development plans over several decades).
Frank Branston stood as an independent in the borough's first direct election for mayor in 2002,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2339617.stm BBC News – Bedford goes for Branston]</ref> backed at the time by the Better Bedford Independent Party, which has since announced that it will field no further candidates.<ref>[http://www.bedsonsunday.com/bedsonsunday-news/DisplayArticle.asp?id=81256 Party's over for Better Bedford] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825020651/http://www.bedsonsunday.com/bedsonsunday-news/DisplayArticle.asp?id=81256 |date=25 August 2009 }}</ref> His platform was based on encouraging investment in the town and on focussing on getting things done rather than on party politics (the borough and the county both had a history of hung councils and unimplemented development plans over several decades).


Branston was reelected with an increased majority on Thursday 3 May 2007, after a count which lasted 16 hours due to problems with an experimental electronic counting system.<ref>[http://www.dynamoo.com/diary/bedford-elections-2007.htm Bedford Elections 2007 and the electronic counting fiasco]</ref>
Branston was re-elected with an increased majority on Thursday 3 May 2007, after a count which lasted 16 hours due to problems with an experimental electronic counting system.<ref>[http://www.dynamoo.com/diary/bedford-elections-2007.htm Bedford Elections 2007 and the electronic counting fiasco]</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
⚫
In July 2009, he suffered an [[aortic aneurysm]] and underwent emergency surgery at [[Papworth Hospital]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090825020623/http://www.bedsonsunday.com/bedsonsunday%2Dnews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=438204 Bedford Today – Mayor in hospital fight for his life]</ref> He died on 14 August 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Mayor-Frank-Branston-dies.5556406.jp |title=Bedford Today – Mayor Frank Branston dies |access-date=14 August 2009 |archive-date=18 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818005822/http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Mayor-Frank-Branston-dies.5556406.jp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/8202286.stm BBC News – Mayor dies after heart operation]</ref><ref>[http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/Mayor-of-Bedford-dies.htm Bedfordshire on Sunday – Mayor of Bedford dies]</ref>


⚫
In December 2009, a new section of the [[A428]] trunk road bypassing the west of Bedford was named The Branston Way in his memory.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120730171400/http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Branston-Way-opens-at-last.5882083.jp Bedford Today – Branston Way opens at last]</ref>
⚫
In July 2009, he suffered an [[aortic aneurysm]] and underwent emergency surgery at [[Papworth Hospital]].<ref>[http://www.bedsonsunday.com/bedsonsunday%2Dnews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=438204 Bedford Today - Mayor in hospital fight for his life]</ref> He died on 14 August 2009.<ref>[http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Mayor-Frank-Branston-dies.5556406.jp Bedford Today - Mayor Frank Branston dies]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/8202286.stm BBC News - Mayor dies after heart operation]</ref><ref>[http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/Mayor-of-Bedford-dies.htm Bedfordshire on Sunday - Mayor of Bedford dies]</ref>

⚫
In December 2009, a new section of the [[A428]] trunk road bypassing the west of Bedford was named ''The Branston Way'' in his memory.<ref>[http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Branston-Way-opens-at-last.5882083.jp Bedford Today - Branston Way opens at last]</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/An-owner-who-believed-in-editorial-backbone.htm Bedfordshire on Sunday Obituary]
*[http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/An-owner-who-believed-in-editorial-backbone.htm Bedfordshire on Sunday Obituary]
*[http://www.frankbranston.co.uk/ Official blog]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081005185355/http://frankbranston.co.uk/wordpress/ Archive of official blog]
*[http://www.councillorsupport.bedford.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=168 Official council profile page]
*[http://www.councillorsupport.bedford.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=168 Official council profile page]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=New Creation}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-ttl|title=Mayor of Bedford|years=2002–2009}}
{{s-new|creation}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Mayor of Bedford]]|years=2002–2009}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dave Hodgson]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dave Hodgson]]}}
{{End}}
{{End}}


{{Authority control|VIAF=79329611}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =Branston, Frank
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British journalist and mayor
| DATE OF BIRTH =9 May 1939
| PLACE OF BIRTH =Retford, Notts
| DATE OF DEATH =14 August 2009
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Branston, Frank}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Branston, Frank}}
[[Category:Mayors of places in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Mayors of places in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Independent politicians in England]]
[[Category:Independent politicians in England]]
[[Category:People from Bedford]]
[[Category:People from Bedford]]
[[Category:English journalists]]
[[Category:English male journalists]]
[[Category:English Jews]]
[[Category:English Jews]]
[[Category:British newspaper publishers (people)]]
[[Category:20th-century British newspaper publishers (people)]]
[[Category:British newspaper founders]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from aortic dissection]]
[[Category:Deaths from aortic dissection]]
[[Category:People from Retford]]

Latest revision as of 14:10, 3 May 2024

Frank Branston
Mayor of Bedford
In office
21 October 2002 – 14 August 2009
Preceded byNew Office
Succeeded byDave Hodgson
Personal details
Born(1939-05-09)9 May 1939
Retford, Nottinghamshire, England
Died14 August 2009(2009-08-14) (aged 70)
Political partyIndependent
Websitewww.bedford.gov.uk

Frank Branston (9 May 1939 – 14 August 2009) was a journalist, novelist and newspaper proprietor, and the first directly elected mayor of the Borough of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England.

Early life and career[edit]

Frank Branston was born in Retford, Nottinghamshire, brought up in Chelsea, west London, and educated at Sloane Grammar School, Chelsea, leaving in 1955 aged 16. He married Marlies, originally from Germany, in 1968, and was the father of two children: Naomi (a lawyer) and Antonia (marketing).

Prior to entering politics he was a journalist, although he was for a while a member of the Labour Party in the 1970s. In 1974 he was the first journalist on a weekly newspaper to be named as the National Press Awards' Provincial Journalist of the Year. After launching his own newspaper, Bedfordshire on Sunday, in 1977, he also received a number of other awards.

Branston was the owner of five local newspapers: Bedfordshire on Sunday, Luton on Sunday, Hertfordshire on Sunday, Leighton Buzzard on Sunday and the Milton Keynes News, with a total distribution approaching 400,000. He and his wife sold their 88% stake in the newspapers in 2005.[1] He was also the author of two novels, "Sergeant Ritchie's Conscience" (1978) and "An Up and Coming Man" (1977).[2]

Religion[edit]

Branston described himself as a "non-practising" Jew, and was the town's second Jewish mayor—coincidentally following on from the first Jewish mayor of the town. Talking about a visit to a local school arranged by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, he said:

Bedford Modern gave room for a travelling exhibition at the request of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and asked me to open it. I am sure they were not aware that I am Jewish (non-practising). I pointed out that while Bedford is certainly one of the oldest boroughs in the country, having been chartered in 1166, it had to wait a long time before getting its first Jewish mayor, Cllr Judith Cunningham in 2002. I succeeded her. Isn’t that always the way? You wait 836 years for a Jewish Mayor then two come along at once..[3]

Political career[edit]

Frank Branston stood as an independent in the borough's first direct election for mayor in 2002,[4] backed at the time by the Better Bedford Independent Party, which has since announced that it will field no further candidates.[5] His platform was based on encouraging investment in the town and on focussing on getting things done rather than on party politics (the borough and the county both had a history of hung councils and unimplemented development plans over several decades).

Branston was re-elected with an increased majority on Thursday 3 May 2007, after a count which lasted 16 hours due to problems with an experimental electronic counting system.[6]

Death[edit]

In July 2009, he suffered an aortic aneurysm and underwent emergency surgery at Papworth Hospital.[7] He died on 14 August 2009.[8][9][10]

In December 2009, a new section of the A428 trunk road bypassing the west of Bedford was named The Branston Way in his memory.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bedford Today – Sunday newspaper group is sold off Archived 23 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ NLA Catalogue listing
  3. ^ Frank Branston's blog – It was all absolutely Kosher Archived 26 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ BBC News – Bedford goes for Branston
  5. ^ Party's over for Better Bedford Archived 25 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Bedford Elections 2007 and the electronic counting fiasco
  7. ^ Bedford Today – Mayor in hospital fight for his life
  8. ^ "Bedford Today – Mayor Frank Branston dies". Archived from the original on 18 August 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  9. ^ BBC News – Mayor dies after heart operation
  10. ^ Bedfordshire on Sunday – Mayor of Bedford dies
  11. ^ Bedford Today – Branston Way opens at last

External links[edit]

Political offices
New creation Mayor of Bedford
2002–2009 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Branston&oldid=1222037378"