UNISON Eastern is sorry to hear of the death of veteran activist Mark Broughton after a short illness last month at the age of 57.
Born and bred in Sheringham, Norfolk, Mark worked practically all his adult life in local government, the largest chunk of it at Breckland District Council where he served as UNISON branch secretary.
UNISON Eastern regional manager Sasha Savage recalls his tireless campaigning on behalf of Breckland staff against an often bellicose employer.
“I particularly remember his quick wit, and the sense of camaraderie it built on the staff-side when trying to deal with some really hostile moves by the council.”
His humour was legendary among staff and activists in the wider union, with Jonathan Dunning, branch secretary at Norfolk County UNISON, adding: “Mark always made me laugh in meetings with his never ending pessimism expressed with sardonic humour! He was a great servant to UNISON.”
Zandra Waterford, one of his union colleagues at the council, also recalls the humour that helped them get through tough times at the council and the variety of events planned for staff.
One event was the slightly contrived Sunflower Height Increasing Trials Exhibition (we liked acronyms) for which the runners-up received a Curley Wurley bar.
Plenty of participants brightened the back fence of the council gardens that summer but it was several months until I discovered the fate of the spare box of Curley Wurleys. I asked Mark where they were and he sheepishly confessed to having eaten them all as he worked in the union office. This was something I never let him forget.”
He eventually left Breckland Council in 2010 to become town clerk for Attleborough, Mark’s wife Marion remembers this as the most stressful time of his working life but he was far happier in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire where he has been for the last seven years.
UNISON Eastern sends condolences to Marion and their son Max and all his family and friends.
The funeral will take place at 2pm today (Tuesday 15 February) at Breckland Crematorium in Scoulton followed by a gathering at the White Hart in Hingham. No black dress required. Family flowers only; donations, if desired, to Cats Protection.