We are deeply saddened to report the passing of Anthony Michael Hodbod, who sadly died on 1st August 2026 at the age of 85.

Tony was born and brought up in Bury, attending Bury Grammar School. He later gained degrees at the Universities of Manchester and Salford. He joined the British Road Services group as a management cadet, which led to posts as manager of haulage depots in Warrington and Bolton. He then changed career and worked for many years as a lecturer in Further and Adult Education.

Tony had a particular interest in media and history and gave many presentations at conferences in Britain, Europe and the USA. He served seventeen years in the Territorial Army, which included eight years as an officer in the Parachute Regiment.

With much help from the members of the Rossendale farming community, he ran a small farm in Haslingden Grane. He was well known to the local community being both a member of Grane Road Residents Association and Friends of Haslingden Cemetery.

Together with the assistance of volunteers, he planted ten acres of the farm with 11,589 trees as a memorial to his wife, Mary, who died of cancer in 1988. This is now Mary’s Wood and is accessible via the Public Footpath near St. Stephen’s Church.

Tony’s funeral took place at St James’ Church, Haslingden at 11am on Wednesday 26th August.