A MEMORIAL to a man who dedicated much of his life to serving Wylam has been suggested to the village's parish council.

Philip Brooks, a former Tynedale District and Wylam Parish Councillor, died suddenly of a heart attack on June 10 2018, at the age of 78.

Born in Suffolk, Philip initially trained as a pharmacist before switching to town planning.

He came to Wylam with his wife, Barbara, in 1970, to work for Northumberland County Council and worked there in a variety of roles until his retirement.

Philip represented Wylam on Tynedale District Council as an independent councillor for 24 years, from 1983 to 2007, standing down only when the unified Northumberland Council was looming. He was also a member of Wylam Parish Council for 40 years between 1973 and 2013, including two periods as chairman.

During this time he developed Wylam Parish Council’s Railway Museum, which opened in 1981 and continues to be an attraction for visitors from far and wide.

In the same year, he played a key role in the celebrations of the bicentenary of the birth of George Stephenson.

Philip wrote several books about Wylam and its pioneering railway engineers and, reflecting his interest in the countryside and the environment.

The Parish Council were contacted by local residents Richard Tomlin and Helena Bates, who proposed naming a museum after Mr Brooks, as well as contacting the Institute to see if they would display a cabinet about the history of the area, detailing his contribution.

Coun. Colin Percy spoke in support of the idea, jokingly suggesting the museum's storage room should bear his name.

He said: "I agree whole-heartedly that we should remember Philip's contribution to the village. We should have thought about it ourselves - but no harm done.

"We could name the storage room after him - that would be appropriate! But no, naming the main room would be great.

"If things change we could take the name with us."

The council agreed to approach the Institute to see if it would be possible to progress the idea.