Introducing the Mayor

Councillor Brian Moorhouse has called Wakefield home for nearly eighty years.

He has worked in roles that have connected him across nearly every community in the district. Not many people know this district better.

During his time living in Alverthorpe he brought the community together creating the area’s first ever community association.

And as President of the Alverthorpe Conservative Club - affectionately known as the Connie Club - he opened the doors to the wider community. Making anyone welcome.

He brings a wealth of life experience and a strong commitment to our communities.

Brian grew up in Ossett down Healey Road in a one room back to back.

His working life began at just 15. When, following the death of his Dad, he was given a job at the Old Roundwood Pit, which used to be at the top of Queen’s Drive.

Working on the picking belt was a gruelling job. It was backbreaking, noisy, and incredibly dusty work. Brian spent his days bent over a slow-moving conveyor belt rapidly plucking out all the unwanted rock. Making sure only the coal made its ways to the rail wagons.

An electrical apprenticeship took him underground. But he soon realised a life in mines wasn’t for him.

His next role was on the buses. Starting out as a conductor.

And even though he’d only ever driven a bicycle before, he’d got his sights set on being a driver.

So, his very first driving lesson was behind the wheel of a double decker bus.

His varied career showed that Brian can turn his hand to almost anything.

From the factory floor to working in the milk industry as roundsman and supervisor. And then buying his own milk round covering Eastmoor in the mid-1980’s.

To driving a chemical tanker across the county often spending long periods away from home.

When he eventually retired, he discovered a very different side of himself.

No-one was more surprised than Brian when he developed a passion for more creative pursuits including wood carving and carpentry.

Although he says his friends are more likely to call it ‘wood butchery’.

Brian is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed in 2022 and is now thankfully cancer-free. During this time, his determination and creativity played a vital role in his recovery.

Brian is a very proud father of four. And an even prouder grandfather.