GFTU BGCM Report 2017

TRIBUTES

David Coates Former GFTU Executive member and official in the Furniture Timber and Allied Trades Union which merged eventually with the GMB David was of the very strongest English stock, firm and unbending, solid as oak and a lifelong advocate for his union and the GFTU. He became a Labour councillor in Kent in later life and long after retirement retained an interest in our affairs. David was always pleased to see progress at the GFTU Davey Hopper Legendary leader of the Durham Miners’ and inveterate organiser of the Big Meet, Davey Hopper was also a great friend of the GFTU. He strongly supported our efforts to rekindle trade union links with Vietnam and attended our London public meeting with several Vietnamese colleagues. Davey of course helped us massively with our exhibition of John Harris’s wonderful pictures of the miners’ strike when we were at the Carole Adair We all remember Carole Adair President of the AEP with great affection, here is the tribute paid to her by AEP General Secretary Kate Fallon. “Carole was committed to the AEP – she was elected to its National Executive Committee nearly 20 years ago – she was a staunch advocate of its trade union principles and professional aims, being equally concerned about promoting the wellbeing of children and young people as she was of educational psychologists. She could be a formidable operator, enjoying great respect amongst colleagues from across the trade union movement, but particularly in Northern Ireland, where she will be remembered for many years as the champion for educational psychology and educational psychologists. She took her role as the AEP’s Representative for NI extremely seriously and professionally – she was passionate about Northern Ireland - and, subsequently, demonstrated the same as both vice President and President. During the last year we all watched her exercising the office of president with integrity and leadership – trying to manage psychologists is said to be rather like herding cats – imagine trying to chair the profession’s executive committee - but Carole rose to the challenge! She was an attentive listener, immediately impressing others by her astute and intelligent approach to complex issues – she had a light touch, but good touch approach

and General Secretary Doug Nicholls recalls him as: “one of the very best. The GFTU was a bit stuffy sometimes in the mid-nineties, but I will never forget the warm welcome David gave to my union when we joined the federation, he was keen to find out about a new affiliate and make us feel at home with a joke and excellent company. He had stamina in all ways, as a long distance runner and as someone who had seen so much and fought for so much he could see us through any difficult situation. As sharp as a plane iron.” to difficult situations, never allowing them to get the better of her, whilst remaining tenacious in pursuing what she believed to be right. I asked a number of people to share their thoughts about Carole – they all spoke about her intelligence, her professionalism, her commitment but they also all mentioned her humour, her great sense of fun, her dry wit – you didn’t spend long with Carole without there being some laughter – if there is such a word as well roundedness then that would be the word to describe her. Conversations would soon extend to talk about travel and her adventures, her love of singing and the choir’s activities and, of course her beloved children and grandchildren – we felt that we knew you all – I even attempted, on one occasion, to imitate Carole imitating Annie Rose imitating Kirsti’s Northern Irish accent. I failed miserably!“ After National Executive Committee meetings we would often all go out to have a drink and eat together – where Carole demonstrated yet another passion – she would only ever drink New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which was often the most expensive white wine in the restaurant or bar so we were in the process of trying to persuade her to try other drinks. We will miss Carole Adair – educational psychology in Northern Ireland and the AEP will be much poorer for our loss but today we celebrate and remember and give thanks for the contribution she made to all our lives – and we may do the same later, with a glass of sauvignon blanc – New Zealand of course! “ Liverpool TUC and he made a speech there that few will forget and which moved everyone in the packed audience. Dave also fully supported our work to create greater awareness about ESNA and attended all of our seminars in London with them. Davey ensured that the GFTU took its place on the platform of the Gala and became a friend of our General Secretary. The General Secretary represented the Federation at Davey’s funeral. In Davey’s memory we hope all those who have never been to the gala will turn out this July.

Tributes | Page 50