Stephen Plowden

• I MISSED a couple of New Journal issues last month, so have only just found your June 14 obituary of Stephen Plowden, of whose death I had been unaware, (Tributes to man who tried to stop HS2).

I’d like to add my own words of praise. I first met him decades ago, in a peace movement context, (relating to Northern Ireland specifically). Besides his obvious decency and good sense he also displayed personal kindness and generosity.

I’ve been one of his “fan club” over the years since; I’ve frequently used his impeccably argued letters in the New Journal as an easy way to deal with anyone trying to tell me that there was some semblance of sense behind the HS2 scam.

Yet again I find myself in the sad position of only having an occasion to say how much I admire someone after they’ve died. Maybe the New Journal should arrange to publish occasional collections of appreciations of the Stephen Plowdens of this world while they’re still with us!

ALBERT BEALE
WC1