This is my 2nd self indulgent post on the 10th anniversary of this strike. See previous post here.Pictured standing in full flow addressing a strike meeting in Jack Dash House is Bill Wakefield (white shirt). Now Bill was (is) let us a say a strong minded and passionate East End Labour movement activist.
He was a former Tower Hamlets Council NUPE branch secretary; then a Labour Councillor (then after the inevitable fall out - an independent Councillor), he was defeated as an independent Councillor but still remains as an active Resident rep and Pensioner activist.
Bill is very much a “marmite” person – you either love him or loath him. Most of us love him.
It was really important that during the strike we had the support of residents and their leaders. Slashing the number of local housing offices would affect jobs but also access to services. Our success during the strike I think was down to this united front of workers and residents arguing together for the same thing. Bill as a residents rep was a very vocal and practical supporter of the strike. He could also get away with things as a retired tenant rep that employees could not.
Bill is very much a local character, he is a real proper East End “face” (in the true sense of the word), who would do what he thought was right, usually regardless of any opposition. For example he was a strong supporter of the late Queen's Mother, Queen Elizabeth and use to write to the local newspaper, the East End Advertiser every year on her birthday to thank her for her support in the East End during the Second World War. This use to upset some folk, however as far as I am aware, no one ever had the bottle to openly challenge him on this.
I still bump into Bill from time to time in the Roman Road Market. Bill will always say hello and have a friendly chat. A few years ago I remember someone describing Bill as a “genuine East End Gent”. I for one would not disagree.
UPDATE: sad news Feb 2011
