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Writer's pictureMichael Edwards

Tribute to John Pennington

Speech for John Pennington - made Honorary Alderman on Monday, 8th May. 

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It is a privilege for me to nominate John Pennington for this honour and role. 


John has been a colleague since I moved to Mapperley in 1988 and has been a willing helper, and a graceful & relaxed advisor to me. 


Interested.  Always interested in news, interested in politics and interested in progress. 


John was born in Wigan. 

An early memory was when his mother took him to Wigan town hall, at the age of 10, to encourage him in the view that there might be a good career as a local government officer.  But from John’s experience of the tour, he concluded that it might be more fun to be an elected member.  The kind of observation I suspect that you, John, can share on becoming an Honorary Alderman.  I couldn't possibly comment.  


John went to Manchester University to study Law, where he met Jean. 


Having studied law, John found he didn’t like it and worked for 2 years at a large textiles printing firm onOxford Roadbefore joining the Ministry, training inLincoln. 



John's work has taken him to many places - Liverpool, India (where he met J.K.Galbraith), Rotherham, Nelson and Nottingham. 


John was a curate in Liverpool when he first met the MP Sydney Silverman, a man whose politics he didn’t entirely share, but who John worked with, because he was a key player in the anti-capital punishment movement.  John joined the movement - and later joined Labour Party. 


Later living in Nelson - he helped Sydney Silverman retain his seat of Nelson and Colne in 1964 in a very difficult contest, beating a pro-capital punishment candidate who had suffered the murder of a relative.


John’s proudest moment in politics was the abolition of capital punishment by the sixties Labour Gov’t, something the re-elected Silverman played an important part in. 


Silverman had been re-elected in a tricky election because of his casework - he knew so many people.  A salutary lesson. 


John respected Nottingham MP Bill Whitlock for the same reason.  The respect was mutual - John officiated at Bill Whitlock’s funeral. 


John came to Nottingham as a clergyman to be an area missionary - covering the 3 dioceses of Southwell, Leicester and Derby - a predecessor, perhaps, to 3 cities / 3 counties.  John first stood for the City Council in the early seventies, standing in the then Mapperley ward, against Bill Bradbury - something John and I both have in common.  Moving to Bestwood Park, he was invited to be a candidate in 1976 in what was expected to be a safe seat.  John won, but it was to be a split ward in a year when Labour only won 14 seats.  Moving to the Meadows, he then stood for the Tory ward of Bridge in 1979, against the convention of remaining in a safe seat.  His proudest local political achievement was to take the ward back for Labour in 1979.  He served as Sheriff, but also decided that 7 years as a Councillor was enough.  (Again, I make no comment.)  He has however, kept his links with the Council strong.  At least twice, he’s been the Lord Mayor’s chaplain.  And once, the Chair’s Chaplain at the County Council.  He’s been active in the Shrievalty Association and does a lot of guide work, regarding himself as an “honorary” Honorary Alderman.  Mo and I also sought his help when we needed to write a theological element to the Lord Mayor’s welcome to the Archbishop of Canterbury.  John is proud of Nottingham - which he regards as a forward looking city that knows how to cope with changes.  He often goes for a walk just to see the new city centre - and on the whole he approves.  Approves even of the 11 storey block (but only just) being built next to St.Mary’s Rest Garden and Victoria Park, on the site of St.Katherine’s vicarage, where John once lived.  I mentioned earlier how relaxed John can be.  I first stood for Mapperley ward in 1989 and John had helped.  I lost, and when the marked registers were published, and I checked who had voted, I was surprised to find John hadn't.  He had indeed spent all evening encouraging everyone else to vote - and forgotten to do so himself.  I understand John has voted in every election since.  Chair, it is a privilege to nominate John.  Interested, engaged, supportive, progressive, relaxed.  Congratulations, John, on this well deserved honour. 

[Presented on 2006-05-08]

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