After witnessing how derelict Salford Docks had become by the 1980s, WWII veteran and ex-mayor of Salford, Ben Wallsworth MBE, had a plan. Now, one month after the proud Salfordian died at aged 103, let’s look back at the life of one of the city’s most treasured heroes.
Born in Ordsall in 1920, Wallsworth visualised what would become the future MediaCity, served as a council member for 44 years, and heroically served during WWII in the Royal Army Service Corps.
At the evacuation of Dunkirk, where he spent his 20th birthday, Ben stood by his gun position, against instruction, and protected his comrades from aerial attacks for three days and nights. He was presented with the Military Medal by King George V in July 1940 for his bravery but didn’t receive home leave until 1942.
After leaving the army, Ben worked at Farmer Norton’s Engineering Company on Adelphi Street for decades.
Mr Wallsworth became interested in politics after campaigning in Ordsall to open up school playgrounds in the evening to provide safe spaces for children to play. His idea led to Salford reviving play streets in the 1980s – an idea the city had pioneered in the 1930s – creating traffic free spaces where children could play safely.
He was elected to Salford Council on 9 May 1957 and, apart from three years between 1968 and 1971, served until his retirement on 10 June 2004. He represented Labour in Weaste, Langworthy and Blackfriars wards, leading on planning in the 1970s.
After growing up with his father working on the Docks, Ben was saddened by how derelict they had become by the 1980s. Working as chair for the planning committee, this led himself, Les Hough and Roger Rees and visualise what the future of the former Docks could be. He reminded chair when Salford City Council used a derelict land grant to buy part of the former docks for £1 million in 1983. Within 10 years private and public investment in the area totalled around £280 million and has continued to grow ever since.
Aside from this, Ben was also a strong campaigner for green initiatives, including the Red Rose Forest project, which saw one million trees planted across Greater Manchester, fought for turning Blackleach Reservoir into a country park and devised the Greenway policy which still today is keeping open space between Walkden and Eccles from development.
He received the MBE for his contribution in 2001, presented by King George V’s daughter, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and was awarded the Freedom of the City of Salford in October 2019 aged 99, just a few days before his 100th birthday.
Ben Wallsworth MBE helped shape thousands of lives across Salford, and continues to impact the city through his developments. On behalf on all of Salford, thank you.
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