My friend and my political mentor and inspiration these past four decades.
I was a school boy just 15 years old - interested in current affairs, motivated by my community and wanting to get involved. Cllr Newton was a figure to look up to. I wrote to her whilst at school and she arranged to meet me in a coffee shop in town. She was charming in style, interested in me and listened to my opinions. I realise that was over 30 years ago.
We kept in touch and I would occasionally help deliver a few leaflets for and with her. When the 1987 General Election came along she urged me to get involved with it and I did. I duly joined the Liberal Party and soon after the merged Liberal Democrats.
In the debacle of the Poll Tax, Angela (by now I knew her better) and I stood alone week after week collecting signatures against the Tax. As public opposition grew we are joined by more people - but for weeks it was just me and her. I often felt she came to support me and make sure I wasn't in the market place on my own in a hostile political environment. When the controversial Council Tax setting eventually took place and there were crowds gathered outside the Council Chamber - bar the press, I was one of the few members of the public allowed into the public gallery: Angela secured me the seat and checked I was okay and got me home in a fairly heated atmosphere afterwards.
We then had the campaign to save Spalding Railway Station from closure and it was Angela, Cllr Chris Brewis and Cllr Bryn Chappell who most helped and supported me. I’ll never forget her speech: “When 18 year olds tell me their views, we should not just listen, but we should hear what they say. It’s lazy to say they don’t know enough - we need to challenge ourselves as their elders.”
When Angela stood down from the County Council in 1993 she asked me to stand in her place - I was at University and the timing didn’t work and I said no. I have gently regretted that decision ever since.
In the early 1990’s she was attending a remembrance service for a memorial in Spalding that was less well attended than Ayscoughfee - I went with her. As I stood next to her, she told me to walk with her and when we reached the memorial together, she handed me her red poppy wreath and asked me to lay it. I was daunted, honoured and nervous. She understood that involving young people taught them and motivated them. She was right and it has worked for me.
As a Liberal Democrat I went on to stand aged just 26 in the 1997 General Election in Stoke Central and was myself elected to Stoke City Council in 1998. The first letter I get at the City Council was of congratulations from Angela.
Work and life took me to Somerset to work for Paddy Ashdown MP and then London and Abroad. For a time I worked at the Local Government Association and would often meet her to chat and exchange ideas and news. Her passion for Spalding, for Lincolnshire, for civic life was palpable and she was a huge champion for local action and for volunteering.
She was unable to come to my wedding to my same sex partner - but she took the time to write us the most heartfelt message of best wishes. And the wedding gift she sent will have added significance now for me.
I was recently elected to Chesterfield Borough Council and subsequently Derbyshire County Council and I have been open on Facebook and beyond in thanking Angela. I learnt so much from her - to listen, to pause, to talk and discuss. She would say “Anyone can oppose - the game is having an alternative. And a good alternative might take longer, need consultation and compromise - but it will be stronger and better for that time and thought.”
Back when I was still at school - I attended a brainstorming session at the Council about budget priorities - everyone else was much much older and Angela came and sat next to me. I did a list of schools, railways, care homes and things to spend money on. We chatted and she encouraged me to do a local list for Spalding and we came up with cycling facilities, recycling schemes and pop-up shops. They were ahead of their time and she was right then.
In losing her, Spalding, Lincolnshire and local government have lost a huge champion, advocate and leader. She was my mentor, my motivation and inspiration and she was my friend. I’m in tears now and I know I shall miss her hugely. But 50 year service! 50 years - wow!! The work we do now, as councillors, should draw on her wisdom, her kindness and her determination - let our good works, our shared working be her legacy. We owe her nothing less.
My heart goes out to her beloved husband Alan and her family - their loss is beyond measure. My thanks are just a small consolation, but I hope they will be of some comfort in difficult times.
Fly well my dear friend, thank you for your service, thank you for your friendship, from this schoolboy whom you encouraged, helped and guided. I stand on your shoulders and will do my utmost to reflect your values and achievements.
All my love,
Cllr Ed Fordham
For Brockwell on Chesterfield Borough Council
For Loundsley Green and Newbold on Derbyshire County Council and Liberal Democrat Group Leader
