PEOPLE from across the community have paid tribute 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.

“He is responsible for the unique archive we have in Keighley Library and he managed to make history come alive for so many people.

“He always injected humour into his talks, which was a great way of putting people at ease and into a good frame of mind to listen and learn about his passion for the subject. He’ll be sadly missed.”

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.

“He was certainly very important to my development as local historian. You learn from other local historians as you write. Ian must have been one of the most important of these.”

He suggests a fund should be set-up to raise money in Ian’s name to benefit the Keighley Local Studies Library.

Mr Wood added: “There has to be some sort of memorial either on or inside the library, something such as a blue plaque.”

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.

“When he gave talks he never requested a fee – he just enjoyed enlightening and amusing everyone.

“And he was simply a very nice, kind and helpful man. He will be hugely missed.”

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.

“In my own historical researches I frequently wrote to Ian seeking his opinion or asking for local information. His invariably courteous letters in return were produced on what seemed to be a typewriter of heritage vintage and he never owned a computer.

“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.

“Speaking only from old letters, postcards and scraps of paper, he would hold an audience enthralled for at least an hour and 45 minutes, invariably saying after the first hour, ‘Well, I’d better get on, I’ve only just started!’.

“Ian’s immense knowledge of Keighley and the local area was mental and paper-based and much of that has now been lost with him. Hopefully his family will see his written records are preserved for future generations.

“He was my last link with the old first-floor reference library in Keighley, where I spent my teenage years doing homework, with Ian behind the counter, always able to track down the most obscure fact being sought.

“We’ve lost a true son of Keighley.”

Fellow Oakworth resident and community stalwart Janet Armstrong said: “I went to school with Ian’s sister and I listened to his history talks, which were interesting and funny.

“He was a gentle, kind man and I’m very sorry that he has passed away. The extent of his knowledge of Keighley was unbelievable.”

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. That is appearing as normal this week and Ian’s final contribution will be carried, as a tribute, in the next edition.

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 tomorrow (Friday), which is raising funds for the village’s parish church. The event is going ahead, with a tribute to Ian.