• WE wish to pay tribute to Claude James of Rowley Way who has sadly died, aged 90.

Born in Guyana, Claude lived most of his life in Camden and he and his wife Daisy, who pre-deceased him, were among the first tenants of the new, landmark, Rowley Way estate, which stretches between Abbey Road in Kilburn and Swiss Cottage, when it was completed in 1978.

Employed as a health and safety manager at British Rail throughout his long life, Claude was an active trade unionist and union official of the Transport and Salaried Staffs’ Association, a member of the Labour Party and a tenant and community leader particularly concerned with tackling the various problems arising on the estate, including the heating system, and fully supporting the tenants and their rights.

He was chairman of the South Hampstead Housing Co-operative and then chairman of the tenants’ and residents’ association of the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate (which includes Rowley Way) for many years.

Claude and Daisy would always warmly welcome newcomers before even knowing their names. If Claude saw you on Rowley Way he would stop for a little chat and others passing by would always stop and greet him, often calling him “Mr James” respectfully.

His numerous positions in public office included delegate to the Trades Union Congress, the Labour Party annual conference and the International Transport Workers’ Federation, executive member of the Greater London Labour Party, chair of the National Pensioners Convention ethnic minority committee, chair of the South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership, member of the Employment and DHSS Tribunals and a Justice of the Peace for 35 years.

Despite such a busy life, he was always willing to deliver Labour Party leaflets on his estate (which involves running up and down hundreds of steps).

Claude retained his Caribbean accent and a very Caribbean love of cricket – he was capable of flying all over the world to follow a test series. He was a gentle, sweet-tempered, but firm man.

Even when in hospital, and it seemed he was recovering at one point, Claude’s first, and ultimately his last thoughts were of Rowley Way, asking was “everyone and everything OK on Rowley Way”?

He leaves behind many heartbroken people who will miss him greatly and our condolences go to his family.

TOM MUIRHEAD
KATHARINE BLIGH
MARY RYAN