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An impromptu rendition of Build Me Up Buttercup lit up rainy Queens Park, where some of Gay Wharton’s closest friends gathered to remember her.
Friends said that The Foundations Classic is a song that would have ‘laughed’ at the former mayor if she had been there herself and it is clear that Grandma has touched so many lives during her 58 years.
Today (November 14) some of his closest and loved ones gathered to lay flowers in a park that was close to the heart of Gay. It comes after she was killed shortly after noon on Friday after being hit by an Audi on Chorley New Road.
The social distancing rules meant that attendees couldn’t comfort each other by hugging, but Bolton Mayor Linda Thomas gave a speech to try to sum up what her friend of seven years meant to her.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
“I really knew her when she became mayor of Martin Donaghy, but when she finished, she continued to raise funds,” Coun Thomas said.
“When you go through the city, you will find that he helped so many people, very quietly and without pretense.
“She was just a good woman and friend. You won’t find anyone, anywhere, who has something bad to say about her.
“She was also my vice president of labor at Halliwell and she was very active in that.
“There has been a great deal of love and the way he died is so cruel that it can happen to someone in the prime of life.
“She is irreplaceable.”
Gay was a sponsor of the domestic violence charity Fortalice and CEO Gill Smallwood was one of the attendees at the short but sweet tribute.
Gill said Manchester evening news : “I met her when she was mayor and we became very good friends. She was always three steps ahead of me in fundraising and she cared a lot.
“She put everyone before herself, but she was so funny. She could speak for England
“She was so special. She’s going to leave a huge hole.”
After a round of applause and with the rain starting to fall, The Foundations classic Build Me Up Buttercup began to ring from the phone of one of Gay’s friends and several people joined in singing.
According to Wesilstton South councilor Anna-Marie Watters, it is a song that would have brought Gay special memories.
“She would be laughing,” Count Watters smiled.
“We all went to Rome together and this song started playing randomly on the subway and we started dancing.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
“I saw the news in the newspaper and you never think it will happen to someone you know. I can’t put into words how he feels.
“I’ve only known her since she became mayor, but with Gay it’s like you’ve known her forever.
“We were destined to go to Barcelona in September, but it was obviously canceled because of Covid.
“I’m in shock like everyone else. She was completely unselfish and we will miss her so much.
“Steve, her husband, loved Gay and I can’t even imagine how he feels.”
Police said the driver of the Audi did not remain at the scene and a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
He remains in custody for questioning.
An investigation into the incident is underway and the police are calling for anyone with information to come forward.
Sergeant Andrew Page of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “A woman has lost her life after this incident and our thoughts remain with her family and loved ones as they come to terms with this terrible news.
“This collision happened in broad daylight, so we want to appeal to anyone who may have been in the area at the time to come forward and help the police with our investigations.
“Were you traveling the Chorley New Road at the time? Did you see a black Audi in the area?
“We are especially interested in speaking with anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash cam footage of the vehicle in question. Please come by and speak to the police.”
Anyone with information, or dash cam footage, should contact the police on 0161 856 4741 citing incident number 1019 from 11/13/2020.
Alternatively, the details can be transmitted anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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