Tributes paid to former Peterhead councillor and community stalwart Stuart Pratt
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Tributes have been paid to former councillor for Peterhead South and Cruden Stuart Pratt, who died on Thursday.
Mr Pratt was first elected to Banff and Buchan District Council in 1988 serving Meethill-Glandaveny and was elected to Aberdeenshire Council in 1996, latterly representing Peterhead South and Cruden until the 2017 election.
He served both as the chairman of the Buchan area committee and on a number of council committees and partnership organisations throughout his term – among them the Buchan Local Community Planning Group, the Peterhead Common Good Fund and the Licensing Authority.
He was also a stalwart of the Scottish National Party, serving as constituency organiser for many years, overseeing the successful election campaign to win back Banff and Buchan for the SNP in 1987, and went on to be a parliamentary election agent for Alex Salmond and Stewart Stevenson, making him the most successful election agent in the history of the SNP.
Outside of political service, he was heavily involved in his home community of New Pitsligo and was a captain of the local Boys’ Brigade and was session clerk at his local church. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of Peterhead Football Club.
Having stepped-down from his work with the Boys’ Brigade after 40 years, he was presented with a Pride of Buchan Award by Aberdeenshire Council just last month.
Former Banff and Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:“Stuart’s life was marked by community service. Outside politics he served as session clerk in his local church congregation for many years and gave more than 40 years as a Boys’ Brigade leader.
"Under a taciturn exterior he had a kind and generous heart and was committed to the common good.”
Former Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:“Stuart made an immeasurable contribution to everything in which he was involved.
"The extent to which it was he who put in place the foundations of the modern SNP in the north-east cannot be overstated.
“Stuart was a big man, with a big heart who made a big impact on people’s lives. He will be sorely missed by many, many people but particularly his friends in the SNP.”
In a Tweeted tribute, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “So very sad to hear the news of Stuart Pratt’s death. Long time SNP councillor, election agent extraordinaire, lifelong campaigner for Independence, and the loveliest, gentlest giant of a man. Aberdeenshire’s finest. Rest in Peace Stuart.”
Peterhead South and Cruden SNP councillor Stephen Smith said: “I’m incredibly sad at the news of Stuart’s passing. Stuart and I represented the same ward for 10 years from 2007 and I could have had no better introduction to how to be an effective councillor than the advice and support I received from Stuart.
“Around the same time, I took over from Stuart as constituency organiser and election agent in Banff and Buchan as his talents were required elsewhere.
"While my track record was much more modest than his, everything I learned about political organisation, I learned from Stuart.
"His loss will be keenly-felt across the SNP and my condolences to his family at this time.”
Aberdeenshire Council has also paid tribute to Mr Pratt.
Councillor Mark Findlater, Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, said: “Stuart Pratt was a real stalwart of north-east politics and a very good councillor for Buchan for many years.
"I first met him when I became a councillor in 2012 and saw firsthand his involvement in so many varied community issues.
"Following his departure from the council, he nevertheless continued to be a pillar of strength in his own local community for which he must be recognised.
"He will be sorely missed and my thoughts are with his loved ones and friends at this difficult time.”
Councillor Gwyneth Petrie, Opposition Group Leader, said: “Stuart was the first person waiting for me at the front doors of Woodhill House after my election, and that steadfast support and solidarity was a continuous mark of his friendship.
"He was always there for sound counsel and a friendly ear. Stuart may have appeared to have a gruff exterior at times, but it never masked that he was, without a doubt, one of the nicest of men, with the biggest of hearts.
"Everything he did, he did with his utmost effort and complete dedication, including his work as a councillor.
"He will be sorely missed by so many as a colleague and, more importantly, a friend.”
