MORE tributes from people across the community have flooded in following the death this week of one of Keighley’s best known and most popular figures.

Local historian Ian Dewhirst had compiled the Keighley News’ Memory Lane column for more than a quarter of a century, and gave countless talks to organisations throughout the district and beyond.

The 82-year-old retired reference librarian, who lived in the Fell Lane area of the town, also wrote several books.

He received the MBE 20 years ago in honour of his services to local history, was awarded a doctorate by Bradford University and even had a diesel train named after him.

Andy Wade – of the Keighley Men of Worth Project, which is researching the lives of those who served in the world wars and other conflicts – described Ian as “legendary”.

He said Ian had been hugely supportive of both himself and his project colleague, Ian Walkden.

“He always took time to suggest further local sources of information and was very helpful,” said Mr Wade.

“As a local historian he was legendary.”

Steven Wood, 71, who has written several local history books, had known Ian for many years – since regularly visiting Keighley Library as a young teenager and later carrying out research in the reference section.

The pair remained friends.

“I had the very highest regard for Ian,” he said.

“He was a friend and an inspiration. Without Ian being at the library, and knowing him afterwards, I don’t think I would have written the books that I have."

Fellow local historian and author, Maurice Baren, said he was shocked to hear of Ian’s death.

“He was devoted to preserving everything of value in history and he made it meaningful to ordinary folk,” Mr Baren added.

Former councillor Graham Mitchell, who served as Keighley’s town mayor, said he was “shocked and greatly saddened” at the news.

“Ian was the greatest living historian in Keighley and a true gentleman and I’ll greatly miss his dry wit and pithy comments on modern life,” said Mr Mitchell.

“He was a hugely entertaining raconteur, greatly loved by local audiences, with a keen sense of timing. He could work an audience like the best of the stand-up comics, bringing out the humour in every piece of history."

Ian, a bachelor, retired in 1991 after 24 years as reference librarian.

He began producing the Memory Lane column for the Keighley News the following year.

Keighley News editor, Nigel Burton, said: “It’s very sad for the people of the district to have lost such a great local historian and such a lovely man.

“He was a joy for the team at the Keighley News to work with over the years, and provided our readers with a wealth of fascinating local information and photographs about the region’s history.

“And we know the people who enjoyed his many talks and presentations about the area’s heritage will be saddened to hear of his death. The town will miss him greatly.”

Ian was due to give the Immortal Memory toast at a Burns Night event in Haworth on Friday, which is raising funds for the village’s parish church. The event is going ahead, with a tribute to Ian.