Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

Monday 29th June

A roller coaster day with emotions as I went to Maggie Clay's memorial service in Stockport.  So sad that she had died; so pleased to see old friends; and the realisation that she lives on.  On the way there I re-read "Action with the ALC, Ten years at The Birchcliffe Centre" by Phoebe Winch.  Nostalgic, but it reminded me so strongly about what I was doing and why I was doing it.

As I waited for friends to arrive, such a service is one you need to share with friends if you can, I spoke to an elderly lady and asked how she had known Maggie.  She told me that she had seen her at meetings (Maggie was Executive member for Adults and Health) and liked her so much as she really listened, understood people and where they were coming from.  What a wonderful summary of Maggie.

I'm going to quote bits from the service sheet " we remember her commitment to justice, liberty and democracy.  But above all we remember her determination that we must strive to improve our world as we pass through it."  Others spoke so well of her summing up what she was about, and what she stood for.  Andrew Stunell, now an MP, spoke of her early work in the ALC (Association of Liberal Councillors) where she was such a support and encouragement to me, and so many others.

Afterwards, tea and biscuits when those of us active in the ALC in the 1980's met up with each other and exchanged our stories.  Some have moved onwards and upwards, becoming MPs, Lords and Baroness's.  Others remain working in whatever field they have ended up in, but all of us continuing on, as best we could, the inspiration we had all those years ago.  Noses to the grindstone.

On the way home I read "Communities Actually" by David Boyle.  Inspiring stories of real community action in today's different political world, with a few leads from the past.  I was so taken aback in the last chapter to read about Maggie again in her Stepping Hill ward with reflections back to her Leeds days.  She was devolving power and decision making from the Area Committee to ward committees.  Setting up "Friends of the local Park" group.  Referring to her Leeds days she says " you need the same kind of community development to make a difference, to lead, inspire, cajole, and make things happen.  Once again community  politics here is about helping people realise they have the power to act."  Indeed, and keeping up that work is what we all need to do.

For those interested I've done my best to name the people on the photo.  Just 1 gap.  I'm sticking to names then, tough if they have changed or been elevated with titles!  Left to right, starting on the back row:

Colin Rosenstiel, John Piggott, John Smithson, Tony Greaves, Bill le Breton, Adrian Sanders, Andrew Stunell, ?, Sarah Boad, David Selby, Mark Hunter, Janice Lennon, Stephen Charters, Howard Sykes, Michael Meadowcroft, Trevor Jones, Sally Hamwee, Joye Rosenstiel, Phoebe Winch, Suzanne Fletcher, David Vasmer, Heather Greaves, Wendy Tally, Chris Willmore.