In Memoriam
Philip Bushill-Matthews 1943-2023
By Chris Forse
On December 10th, one of our most distinguished WDu3a members, Philip Bushill-Matthews, passed away after a long period of illness. Philip was known to the Current Affairs and International Affairs groups, where he engaged in his passion for debate on political affairs.
Philp was a businessman who, out of frustration about the lack of business expertise in public affairs, became an MEP in 1999. He served in Brussels for ten years, and when he retired, in 2009, he was Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament. He was widely respected across the spectrum of political affiliations, known by the German contingent as ‘Philip the Fighter’, for the steadfast way he defended and promoted British interests, whether it be in securing the right of British chocolate makers to sell their products in the Single Market, to leading the charge to overcome French resistance to our beef exports (“Marie Antoinette said let them eat cake; let them eat our beef too!”) or to advance environmental protections. Not only was he a great advocate for his country; he was an advocate for the European Union too, re-emerging from retirement to canvass on behalf of Remain during the referendum of 2016. More recently he resigned from the Conservative Party in 2019 when Boris Johnson became leader, writing to him that he lacked the moral authority to lead, at which point he became a Liberal- Democrat.
Philip was a liberal in the true sense of the word: an enlightened man of great erudition, respectful of the views of all - and a man of great wit. He accumulated academic qualifications through his life: from Oxford University, the Harvard Business School, and in retirement a BA (Hons First Class) in Archaeology from Leicester University in 2015. While at Oxford he became Secretary of the Union Drama Society, and toured as an actor with Michael York in ‘A Man for all Seasons’ in the sixties. He was also a writer, and his ‘The Gravy Train’ was an acclaimed expose of the inefficiencies and corruptions of the political world (in recent times they were called ‘expenses scandals’). It was a privilege to work with Philip on a seminar for our U3A on ‘The Future of Democracy’ in May 2023.
We continued to exchange writings and sometimes conversations until near the end of his life, and we agreed on everything from Ukraine and the Middle East, to HS2, and opposition to the reduction in inheritance tax. Even as his he declined in body, his mind was razor sharp until the end.
For Philip. In deepest condolences to your wife Angela, to your daughters and son, and their children. May you rest in peace after a life well lived: truly a man for all seasons.
Kate Balfour
By Bernie Campbell on behalf of Ann Smith and Tony Borer
I met Kate about six years ago while learning to play Bridge through WDU3A with lessons provided by Joy Fowles, alas also now passed away. When our lessons were completed, we kept our group together afterwards by playing Bridge once a week in each other’s houses and grandly called ourselves the Earl Grey Bridge Club. We all felt our lives had been enriched by learning to play and forming a strong friendship as a consequence. We resorted to playing Bridge online during Covid and returned to doing so when first Carol Mallorie’s and then Kate’s health started to fail. We were fortunate to be able to play our last game of Bridge with Kate in person about a month before she passed away.
Kate was always great fun to be with and regaled us with hilarious anecdotes usually starting with “I must just tell you this……” often in the middle of a game. By far her most outstanding attributes though were the positivity and resilience she displayed in the face of declining health and her gratitude for the 25 years she had had following her kidney transplant.
We remember her with great fondness.
Richard Piggott
It is with great sadness that I have to tell members of the death of Richard Piggott on 25th October 2023. Richard was a much valued member of our committee and was responsible for managing our Gift Aid claims and information. He always managed to speak a great deal of sense, helped out at all our open meetings as well as belonging to groups. He attended CAMEO meetings in his last few months and was great at helping out on most occasions. The committee and I will miss him and his many contributions as will members.
We send our condolences to his family and friends.
Clare Johnson, WDu3a Chairman