A LEADING Pendle politician - Coun. David Whipp - has had a successful heart operation and has thanked both everyone who has treated him and those who sent him their best wishes.
The Barnoldswick Liberal Democrat councillor, who has served Pendle for decades and is currently a member of Pendle Council’s Executive, has now been released from hospital in Leeds after having a triple bypass operation.
He was taken ill while putting sand on the “Barlick Beach” in the Town Square in August. After investigation by doctors it was established that he needed a coronary artery bypass graft, and after a couple of months he was given the operation at Leeds. He is now making good recovery.
Coun. Whipp, who also chairs the Pendle Community Safety Partnership, had his operation last week and this week was told he was okay to go back home again, and he has done.
He rang us and said: “I’m recovering thanks to the hospital team. I’m doing really, really well and I’m pushing myself to get fit as fast as I can.”
And he added: “I want to thank the lots of people who have been in touch - sending me cards, contacting my family and even texting me.
“I want to thank the people here at the hospital for their support and encouragement.”
He thanked medical staff at both Leeds and the Airedale Hospital and said: “They have transformed my life and made sure I am going to be okay. I’m really grateful for all their work - and the support from people in Barnoldswick and Earby.”
Coun. Whipp has been heavily involved with many activities in West Craven and he is confident he will carry on doing those things in the near future, fortunately.