Sad news reaches News OnTheWight that David Bartlett, the former clerk at Ventnor Town Council, passed away on Tuesday this week, aged 85.
David became Ventnor’s clerk in 2010 and was responsible for exposing massive long-term deficits at the Winter Gardens. He worked incredibly hard for the town and the council for more than a decade before resigning in 2023.
An incredible privilege to work for ‘remarkable’ town
In his resignation letter to the then-Mayor, Steph Toogood, he said it was an incredible privilege to work for the ‘remarkable’ town.
Before arriving on the Island, David had been heavily involved with campaigning for housing, working with Citizens Advice and residents’ associations.
Investigative journalist
Prior to that, as well as teaching at the local technical college, David worked as a journalist, co-founding the Rochdale Alternative Press (RAP) in Lancashire, where in the late 1970s, along with his co-editor John Walker, he helped expose Cyril Smith of sexual abuse on boys under the age of 18.
Private Eye picked up the story at the time (read here), but it was only covered nationally in recent years, following the death of Mr Smith.
David also gave extensive evidence to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse at Cambridge House, Knowl View, Rochdale.
A man of integrity
Our sincerest thoughts are with David’s family, former colleagues and friends.
He will be missed.
David’s funeral will be held on Friday 23rd February at 1:30pm at the Crematorium.
Article edit
5pm 16th Jan 2024 – Details of funeral service added
