So long, Bill: A tribute to Bill Punt

Clarion Editor-in-chief, Alistair Graham, leads the tribute to the socialist, trade unioninst, champion of the pensioners’ cause – and long time Clarion friend of the Clarion.

There must be many folk who missed Bill Punt when he left the Forest some six years at the age of 90. And many folk will have been sorry to hear of his death at the end of last year.

He made many friends – and some enemies, too, as he never suffered fools gladly (as the saying goes). But he was passionate in his beliefs, warm-hearted, and devoted to his family.

Bill was an active member of the TGWU, ever since his days as a tram driver on the streets of London just after the war. He served on the union committee at the New Cross tram depot and then went on to serve on the buses, until in 1961 he became a full-time trade union official at the Covent Garden fruit and vegetable market where he worked until retirement in the early 1980s.

FIGHTING FOR PENSIONERS:

Bill and his wife Lou chose to retire to the Forest, setting up home first in Aylburton and later in Lydney. One of his first moves was to set up a branch of the British Pensioners’ Trade Union Action Association (as it was then called) in the Lydney area – a non-party political organisation dedicated to campaigning for the rights of pensioners. It became a thorn in the side of Paul Marland, then the Forest’s Tory MP – particularly during the campaign against VAT on fuel payments.

LOYALTY TO LABOUR:

Despite implacable opposition to the Blairite policies of the “New Labour” Government, Bill always refused to leave the Labour Party. He saw it as his party, hi-jacked by those who sought to distort or reverse its basic principles. It was this rebellious, stubborn streak which endeared him to some – whilst irritating others!

Bill worked tirelessly through the Labour Party for the election of Diana Organ, who finally beat Paul Marland to become MP for the Forest in 1997. Her election must have owed something to the work of Bill and his fellow pensioners.

Many will remember how he organised trips down to Tolpuddle, to the “Levellers’ Day” events in Burford, or to pensioners’ rallies in London – and how he mobilised us all. It was difficult to say no to Bill!

DISILLUSION:

His disillusion with the Labour hierarchy began in 1997, with the “re-branding” of the Party, the dropping of “Clause 4″ from the constitution, and the election of the Blair Government. He saw it as a betrayal of much of what he had he had fought for, for so many years. For Bill, the song “Things Will Only Get Better” was a mockery, and he became a bitter critic of the Government’s policies.

His views were expressed in a piece that he wrote for the Clarion in 2005, shortly before he left us:

“My party right or wrong? Castration of the trade unions? Who could ask for more!

“When will we return to the movement’s maxim, organise, educate and agitate, instead of acting merely as electioneering fodder and trailing behind the dictats of leadership like castrated poodles?”

Bill was a firm supporter of the Clarion and was a member of its editorial group from the very beginning, in 1996. His hard hitting articles and reports – often laced with his own brand of humour – became a familiar part of the paper. And he continued to contribute for some time after he moved to Kent.

He resigned as secretary of the Lydney pensioners’ group in 2001. His wife and loyal partner, Lou, died in the same year.

After living in the Forest for over twenty years, Bill had become part of its very fabric. But he had been born and bred in Bermondsey and as a youth worked in the local Cross & Blackwell factory, before being called up for service in the Army during the last war. Shortly after being sent to Africa, he was taken prisoner, and spent some years in prison camps before escaping during the chaos that followed the Allied advance after the D-Day landings.

He and a mate hid by day and travelled westward by night, avoiding any entanglement with the retreating Germans – until they discovered that for several days they had been escaping through British held territory. “It was then we thought it was time to give ourselves up,” said Bill.

Just one of the anecdotes of a full life that Bill liked to tell us!

ALISTAIR GRAHAM

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ALICE BATES:

We were also sorry to hear of the death of Alice Bates, a long-time subscriber to the Clarion, one-time editor of  the Pensioner magazine, and an active campaigner in the pensioners’ movement in Manchester.

As her daughter Sylvia wrote, “she was a positive and cheerful person to the end.”

OBITUARY: Ken Coates

IDEAS – AND ACTION

KEN COATES, who died suddenly earlier this summer, will be sorely missed by many who campaigned with him for peace, industrial democracy – and against the humbug and corruption of modern capitalist society.

He was one of many on the left who emerged from the ferment of ideas that had such an impact on radical politics in the 1960s. Many of those who were involved have since fallen by the wayside, or veered to the right, and the cover of respectability. Ken Coates, though, maintained his principles to the end, though he adapted his ideas to the changing times and changing circumstances in the decades that followed.

His major contributions were to the nuclear disarmament movement, and to the development of ideas on industrial democracy. He helped to establish the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation and, with colleagues, campaigned for a “nuclear free Europe”. Through meetings and conferences this brought him into touch with many leading campaigners throughout Europe – including some in the emerging Green movement.

Ken also served for ten years as a Labour MEP, using the European Parliament to promote and develop his ideas.

But his expulsion from the Labour Party in 1998 ended his career as a parliamentarian.

INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY: In the early 1970s, industry in the UK was facing dramatic change. Changing technology, an uncertain economic climate and increasing competition from abroad meant that workers were not only threatened by changing work patterns but also by the loss of their jobs. Heavy industry, particularly, was under threat, with plants facing closure and mass redundancies.

Ken Coates helped to form the Institute for Workers’ Control (IWC). Through its publications and through conferences, its ideas were spread throughout the trade union movement and beyond.

Many trade unionists were coming to realise that strike action wasn’t enough in the face of factory closures and mass redundancies. An example was in Scotland where Upper Clyde Shipyards were facing closure. A mass “work in” by the workforce led by Jimmy Reid and Jimmy Airlie in 1971 forced an about-turn by the Government which provided funds to keep the shipyards open – at least for a while.

Meanwhile the IWC was developing ideas for alternative production in firms and factories facing closure. Out of this came the plan drawn up by Lucas Aerospace shop stewards, for the production of socially useful goods. Again, it attracted popular support – but not from the management at Lucas!

Attending conferences of the IWC was always an interesting and stimulating experience. Those who attended came from a wide spectrum of the left – with the trade union movement always well represented. For some, the notion of industrial democracy meant (as they say these days) “thinking outside the box”. Others, like Hugh Scanlon and Jack Jones, worked closely with Ken Coates to try to bring democracy to decision making in industry. It involved attempting to create a trade union response that went beyond constant opposition to a recalcitrant and self-seeking management!

WORKER CO-OPS: But the ideas that flowed out from the IWC (not to mention the example of the Upper Clyde work-in) stimulated a new interest in worker co-operatives. Amongst those who was influenced by the trend was Tony Benn, who had been a Government minister. It was he that gave backing to three worker co-ops – at Triumph motorcycles, The Scottish Daily News and Bendix washing machines. Sadly, all three failed (though it’s significant that Triumph survived under private ownership, and today is the only major UK motorcycle manufacturer still in business). But many other worker co-operatives that came into being at the time continue to this day – and more are still being formed as workers attempt to control their own destinies.

Ken’s other contribution was as editor of The Spokesman magazine. This was produced by a small team, including , Tony Simpson, Tony Topham and Ken Fleet on behalf of the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation.

The latest issue was nearly complete when Ken died suddenly. The front cover is reproduced below. It contains tributes from those who knew him and worked with him – in Britain and throughout Europe – together with a quote from Ken himself:

“I have always believed that true socialism will be made by the people themselves, the real beneficiaries. That was the significant achievement of the Institute for Workers Control, because it encouraged people to work out their own ideas about what might constitute democracy in industry.”

(Ken Coates, June 25, 2010)

GRACE TURNER: An appreciation by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson pays tribute to her aunt, Grace Turner, who died in January aged 97.

We, the family, could not be sad for Grace when she died peacefully at home on January 9, at last released from the loneliness she had borne since her husband John died in October 2007. They had been such a close couple for over seventy years.

Grace was the youngest of six in the Brain family, and the only one not born in Lydney. My mother was the eldest, and Grace was 18 when she came to help her in the dairy at Ascot when I was born in 1929. In later years we almost seemed to be the same generation, and I stopped calling her “Aunty”.

POLITICALLY ACTIVE:

Throughout her life Grace was politically active on the left, including being involved in the “Cable Street Riots” against Oswald Mosley’s fascist blackshirts.

She met John Turner through the Clarion Cycling Club and they married in 1938. Their daughter Helen was born in 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1940, to escape the bombing in London, they came to stay with relatives in Lydney. Later they moved back to Sunbury on Thames where Roger was born in 1944.

They never owned a car, and continued to cycle everywhere, adding a carrier for the children, until Grace had a terrible accident when her cycle was hit by a car, breaking her arm, leg and collar bones. John was distraught and used to take Royal Jelly (from bees) into the hospital to help with the healing. After that he would only let her ride the tandem with him.

They travelled all over the country and abroad, particularly to Holland where they met lifelong friends Ans and Wietze Postma. They also went by minibus to Moscow, Eastern Germany, Czechoslovakia, and on the way back through Norway. Their activities also included taking part in CND and anti-war demonstrations.

Gerry was born in 1947, when I was 18. Whilst she was expecting, I used to cycle down to see if Grace had produced the baby yet!

A HEALTHY LIFE:

Their healthy life included Grace making her own bread until a few years ago. They were mostly vegetarian which, I think, influenced me in making that choice. They very seldom visited a doctor or took allopathic medicine, relying on her own remedies including garlic for minor ailments. She was devoted to her grandchildren and often went to see Gerry and Alice with their three when they were wardens at the Friends Meeting House at Hemel Hempstead.

In 1987, along with my mother, Grace and John, I moved to Lydney, in bungalows near to each other. We were able to support each other and take holidays in Wales. My mother, Lois, died aged 98 in 1997. It had been good for the sisters to be near again. She liked to see my family, too, when they came to the Forest to see me.

Grace had a love of music and we joined the Dean Music Club and shared CDs. She and John were also interested in foreign films, which we enjoyed at the Studio Cinema in Coleford. Until her eyesight deteriorated Grace had been a great reader and we shared books and ideas.

Later, John would get “Talking Books” from the library, which they enjoyed together.

They had been a great team, not above complaining about each other but devoted nonetheless. When John died, Grace lost the will to live. Although she was loved and well cared for by her grand daughter, no-one could replace him.

So it’s the end of an era. Grace was the last of that generation in the family. Although I am the only Quaker in the family, it was her wish to have a Quaker funeral, as she had experienced it when my mother, her sister, died. It gave anyone who wished the opportunity to share their thoughts about her, and drew together family and many friends from many strands of her life.

JS

We, the family, could not be sad for Grace when she died peacefully at home on January 9, at last released from the loneliness she had borne since her husband John died in October 2007. They had been such a close couple for over seventy years.

Grace was the youngest of six in the Brain family, and the only one not born in Lydney. My mother was the eldest, and Grace was 18 when she came to help her in the dairy at Ascot when I was born in 1929. In later years we almost seemed to be the same generation, and I stopped calling her “Aunty”.

POLITICALLY ACTIVE:
Throughout her life Grace was politically active on the left, including being involved in the “Cable Street Riots” against Oswald Mosley’s fascist blackshirts.

She met John Turner through the Clarion Cycling Club and they married in 1938. Their daughter Helen was born in 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1940, to escape the bombing in London, they came to stay with relatives in Lydney. Later they moved back to Sunbury on Thames where Roger was born in 1944.

They never owned a car, and continued to cycle everywhere, adding a carrier for the children, until Grace had a terrible accident when her cycle was hit by a car, breaking her arm, leg and collar bones. John was distraught and used to take Royal Jelly (from bees) into the hospital to help with the healing. After that he would only let her ride the tandem with him.

They travelled all over the country and abroad, particularly to Holland where they met lifelong friends Ans and Wietze Postma. They also went by minibus to Moscow, Eastern Germany, Czechoslovakia, and on the way back through Norway. Their activities also included taking part in CND and anti-war demonstrations.

Gerry was born in 1947, when I was 18. Whilst she was expecting, I used to cycle down to see if Grace had produced the baby yet!

A HEALTHY LIFE:
Their healthy life included Grace making her own bread until a few years ago. They were mostly vegetarian which, I think, influenced me in making that choice. They very seldom visited a doctor or took allopathic medicine, relying on her own remedies including garlic for minor ailments. She was devoted to her grandchildren and often went to see Gerry and Alice with their three when they were wardens at the Friends Meeting House at Hemel Hempstead.

In 1987, along with my mother, Grace and John, I moved to Lydney, in bungalows near to each other. We were able to support each other and take holidays in Wales. My mother, Lois, died aged 98 in 1997. It had been good for the sisters to be near again. She liked to see my family, too, when they came to the Forest to see me.

Grace had a love of music and we joined the Dean Music Club and shared CDs. She and John were also interested in foreign films, which we enjoyed at the Studio Cinema in Coleford. Until her eyesight deteriorated Grace had been a great reader and we shared books and ideas.

Later, John would get “Talking Books” from the library, which they enjoyed together.

They had been a great team, not above complaining about each other but devoted nonetheless. When John died, Grace lost the will to live. Although she was loved and well cared for by her grand daughter, no-one could replace him.

So it’s the end of an era. Grace was the last of that generation in the family. Although I am the only Quaker in the family, it was her wish to have a Quaker funeral, as she had experienced it when my mother, her sister, died. It gave anyone who wished the opportunity to share their thoughts about her, and drew together family and many friends from many strands of her life.

JOHN TURNER: Local Communist & cyclist

There are many who will remember John Turner. Their memories will be varied – for John was always a man of many parts. A man who took pride in his work as a carpet fitter. A father and family man. A man who loved to travel with his family. A political activist, and a friend who always had a tale to tell.

I remember him as the cycling Socialist. For John his membership of the Clarion Cycling Club was part of the fabric of his political activity – and his close-knit family.

Indeed, it was cycling that brought John and his wife Grace together. They met when he called into a cafe in Chiswick where Grace was working, he spotted her Clarion Cycling Club badge – and they got talking. That was in 1937. Soon they were sharing a tandem together, and in 1938 they got married.

As the family grew, a sidecar was added for the children… until they were able to ride their own bicycles. Their cycling trips took them far afield. John was a Londoner, though Grace came from the Forest of Dean, and they would regularly ride down to the Forest for holidays. After the war, the Dean became their home, and finally they settled in Lydney.

John’s political activity in London included engagement in the anti-fascist campaign, when Mosley’s blackshirts were active spreading their message of hate in the East End of London. The 1930s were a decade of political ferment, and Grace’s family had taken part in the Battle of Cable Street when members of the British Union of Fascists were prevented from marching through the East End in October 1936. John soon became involved, and went on to join the Communist Party.

Ironically, his work as a carpet fitter for the firm of Arding & Hobbes in Clapham led him to meet the fascist leader, Oswald Mosley. John was given the job of laying carpets at Mosley’s home. He was, John said, “an arrogant man” – a view which was no doubt shared by many others!

When it came to his work, John was always a perfectionist. He would often repeat a maxim which he said guided him – “Good, better, best – Never let it rest, till your good is better and your better best!” I’m sure that it was a philosophy that he tried to apply to many areas of his life.

Another interest that involved him was his affection for trams. This wasn’t simply nostalgia. He saw trams as a greener, more egalitarian form of transport. He never owned a car, but was very proud of his part in helping to restore an old open-top LCC tramcar to working order, and was delighted when trams returned to Croydon, south London.

I got to know John in his later years, after he and Grace had settled in Lydney. He had joined the Lydney branch Labour Party and was also active in the pensioners’ movement as well as the University of the Third Age (U3A). He and Grace continued their cycling as long as their health allowed, and his political commitment never wavered (though John suffered a certain sense of disengagement following the collapse of the Soviet Bloc). Whilst he was able he would join marches for pensioners’ rights, and attended the annual rally at Tolpuddle. And he and Grace were firm supporters of the Clarion.

John died on October 16, at the age of 93. He had seen poverty and hardship in his early years, had become politically involved as he grew older, and taken up a range of interests which, taken together, made him the person we all remember with affection.

OBITUARY: Michael Foot

The death of Michael Foot in March robs the Labour Party of one of its last voices of conscience – a journalist and writer of note, an MP of long standing – and briefly leader of the Party at a time when its fortunes were at their lowest ebb since the early 1930s. His was a voice that spanned generations – the George Lansbury of our time.

Like many on the left, Michael Foot was lampooned and derided in the media during much of his political career – particularly when he became leader of the Labour Party in the early 1980’s. What sort of Prime Minister might he have been we’ll never know.  He was elected leader at a time when Mrs Thatcher and her Tory Government had slumped in the polls – but by the time Foot led Labour into the election, the invasion of the Falklands on a wave of populist fervour had restored Thatcher’s popularity and she was being hailed as ’the iron lady’.

Foot also faced the breakaway of the ‘gang of four’ (David Owen, Roy Jenkins, Bill Rogers and Shirley Williams), who founded the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which briefly became flavour of the month. Their renegade movement effectively split the opposition, and Labour went down to crashing defeat. To the victor went the spoils – and that victor was Thatcher. We all know what happened next!

It’s significant to record, however, that Labour’s manifesto in 1983 called for more public investment, the nationalisation of irresponsible banks, tighter lending controls, corporate regular, job creation – and the cancellation of Trident. If only New Labour had listened when it came to power in 1997, we might not be in the mess we’re in now!

Michael Foot was also a founder member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (an issue that divided Labour for many years) and took part in CND marches along with this wife Jill Craigie. He was also on the editorial board of Tribune for many years when it was an influential voice on the left.

Through triumphs, adversity and defeat, Michael Foot remained a man of principle. Occasionally the pressures of office caused him to compromise but he never surrendered the central core of his beliefs.

JOHN WILMOT

OBITUARY: Ralph Anstis

Ralph Anstis, who died in February 2010 aged 89, was an adopted Forester – but he did more than most to record the history of the Dean, its people and the events that shaped their lives.

I have many of his books on cluttered bookshelves, and they’re always a useful point of reference – as well as a pleasure to read. He wrote the definitive biography of Warren James (whose life is being commemorated at the beginning of June this year).

His fact-based novel Let the Hero be the Hungry Man was adapted as a play, and performed in Parkend. He also wrote Blood on Coal, an account of the long and bitter minders’ strike of 1929 and the impact it made on those who worked in the Forest coalfield.

He was a prolific writer, turning out book after book from his own imprint ‘Albion House’. His wife, Bess was also a stalwart of the Forest of Dean Local History Society, and I’m sure must have shared in much of the research that went into Ralph’s books.

Both of them were supporters of the Clarion, and occasional contributors to our columns. Bess’s last piece in the Clarion was a reminiscence of the Co-Op as she remembered it in her younger days. It was published in the summer of 2005. She was already in poor health, and sadly she died the following year.

Ralph was born in London, worked in the civil service, and he and Bess moved to the Forest in 1979. Apart from his writing, he involved himself in the local community. He served on the West Dean Parish Council, was a governor of two local schools and became a volunteer Press Officer for Forest Stop the War (the local contingent aligned with the national Stop the War movement opposing the 2003 invasion on Iraq). Like many of us, he learned to love the Forest, both for its peace and its people.

But after the death of Bess, his own health also went into decline and finally he was forced to move from his home in Coalway to be nearer his family. He died in a retirement home in Epsom and his funeral service took place in Leatherhead.

Ralph was a quiet, softly spoken and unassuming man, but one who tackled his research and writing with dedication. Those of us who have our homes in the Forest owe him a great debt for recording and illuminating the lives of those who’d helped shape the communities we take for granted today.

Thanks, Ralph.
AG