Biography
Bernard Atha (1928–2022) was an English actor and politician. He appeared in Ken Loach’s Kes (1969) as the Youth Employment Officer, and had small roles in the director’s Family Life (1971) and Black Jack (1979). His other screen credits include episodes of All Creatures Great and Small, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (as Dr Carthew), Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Last of the Summer Wine.
Atha was born and educated in Leeds, studying law at the University of Leeds. He combined acting with a long career in local government as a Labour councillor, serving for 57 years from 1957 until 2014 and as Lord Mayor of Leeds in 2000–01. He was appointed OBE in 1991 for services to sport, particularly for disabled people, and CBE in 2007 for services to the arts and the community in Leeds. He was also active in arts administration, including the establishment of the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Northern Ballet.
