Latest news with #JohnMarjoram
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Wonderful tributes to Stroud legend as hundreds pack venue
WITH a colourful procession of several hundred people, John Marjoram was laid to rest in the June sunshine, surrounded by a circle of family, friends and the many people who had been inspired by the 'fearless and feisty' former mayor of Stroud. The funeral of John Marjoram, held in the heart of the town in the Subscription Rooms on Monday, was a perfect celebration of a man who lived life as a campaigner for peace and his community. With around 450 people sitting in an intimate semi-circle in the Sub Room's ballroom, with more sitting on the stage and balcony and standing at the back, it was no surprise that the venue reached capacity. Outside on the forecourt a further 50 people stood in the sun coming together to remember and celebrate John. The service opened in the Quaker tradition with a silent contemplation. Fiona Meadley, of Painswick Quakers invited the gathering, to sit in silence and 'reach the peace that lies beyond words.' The eulogy was given by Aaron Mirkin of Stroud's Christian Community who invited us to remember our 'feisty and fearless friend John Marjoram.' He recounted John's 'deep humanity, kindness and courage and his capacity to offer up everything he had for what he believed was right, and doing this by 'thinking globally and acting locally.' 'He had a natural and instinctive vision for a better world - the world how it could be - a vision of the world of peace of love and brotherhood and sisterhood.' The eulogy described John's love of nature, his lifelong pacifism and his commitment to the community of Stroud, and beyond. John grew up in rural Essex in the 1940s, the start of his enduring love of nature. The experiences of his two uncles - one of whom was a conscientious objector during World War One and the other a veteran of the war who told John of the horrors he'd seen - inspired John to campaign for peace throughout his life. He became involved with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Peace Pledge Union, and was twice arrested for breaking into American military bases. John moved to Stonehouse in 1967 and then to Stroud in 1970. He worked as a gardener at Wynstones School and then at the Home Farm Trust in Frocester where he worked for 29 years until he retired. In 1975 John co-founded the Stroud district branch of the Ecology Party, which later became the Green Party. In 1986 he became one of the first Green councillors in the UK and represented the Trinity ward seat on Stroud District Council for 35 years. He was also one of the first councillors elected to Stroud Town Council when it was formed in 1990. He campaigned to save many important landmarks of Stroud - Hill Paul, Woodchester Mansion, Uplands Post Office, Lansdown Hall - and to save the Subscription Rooms from private ownership and Stroud Maternity Hospital from closure. In 2023 John was honoured with the first Honorary Freeman of the Town in recognition of his services to the community. 'We're going to miss our feisty and fearless friend very much,' Aaron told the gathering before encouraging us 'to take up the weighty baton he passed on to us' and remember his mission that; 'if we don't do the impossible, we will be faced with the unthinkable.'' (Image: Annabel Richmond) John's wife Laura Ridolfi read the poem 'I Love You,' by Mario Benedetti which was followed by a prayer and a short song for peace. It is believed to be the first time the Subscription Rooms has ever hosted a funeral, and it was a fitting venue for the funeral of Stroud's former mayor whose life was lived at the heart of the community. John's simple coffin adorned with flowers was carried out into the sunshine on the forecourt and onto a hand cart for a slow procession to Stroud Cemetery. Stroud's Red Band accompanied the colourful procession of several hundred people - some carrying rainbow Peace flags - which made its way up Stroud High Street, past John's home on Castle Street and along Horn's Road to Stroud Cemetery. The procession arrived at the cemetery to the band's gentle playing of Wonderful World and He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother. John was laid to rest in the beautiful June sunshine, surrounded by a circle of family and friends, the sound of birdsong, wood pigeons, the scent of elderflower, and ending with a rendition of Kahlil Gibran's words on the nature of death, from The Prophet. It was the perfect remembrance of a man whose lifelong work had inspired so many. Following the burial, friends were invited to return to the Sub Rooms for a bring-and-share lunch, and a relaxed memorial gathering to share memories and celebrate John's life. (Image: Annabel Richmond) (Image: Annabel Richmond) Well over 100 people came to remember and share their memories and stories – with contributions from such Stroud icons as Jehanne and Rob Mehta and Will Mercer (aka Earthwards), who performed Jehanne's evocatively beautiful song 'This Place'; the Green Party's Molly Scott-Cato and Lucas Schoemaker and Elvis ('The Poet') McGonagall. Adrian Keefe, music therapist from Mindsong, played some of John's favourite songs. Political and more personal memories were woven with humour, love and a great sense of loss. The assembled gathering also shared CAKE, Lisa's remarkable sugar-free, gluten-free vegan cakes, for John was a great lover of good cake. And perhaps inevitably, the wonderful sharing of memories and stories about John was ended with the old crooner, Frank Sinatra, singing 'I Did It My Way': so often a coarse karaoke cliché, these days, of course, but in the case of John Marjoram and his great life's work, an entirely fitting ending to a memorable day in Stroud's history.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Tributes paid to Green Party pioneer John Marjoram after his death aged 86
Tributes have been paid to the first elected Green Party councillor, who has died aged 86. John Marjoram was elected in 1986, a year after the Green Party had been formed, and was a councillor at town and district level for 35 years until he stepped down in 2021. Mr Marjoram, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, died on Saturday after a long illness. He held the record as the longest continuously serving Green Party councillor. An environmentalist, Quaker and pacifist, Mr Marjoram was a co-founder of the Stroud Green Party in 1985 and was elected to the district council the following year. As well as district councillor, Mr Marjoram was elected to the town council when it was formed in 1990, before becoming the UK's first Green Party mayor. He grew up in rural Essex and developed an early interest in politics during dinner table debates with his staunch Labour father and Conservative-voting mother. When he was called up for national service he cited his pacifist beliefs, and remained in an administrative role while others in his intake went to Malaysia to fight the Communists. In 1968 he moved to Stroud with his young family, drawn there by his affiliation with the Quakers, who had a strong presence in the town. Catherine Braun, Green Party councillor and leader of Stroud District Council, said: 'It was John who persuaded me to stand as a paper candidate, before I was eventually elected to Stroud District Council. 'He was such an influential and inspirational activist, not just to us here in Stroud district but across the whole Green movement. He will be much missed.' Martin Baxendale, a district councillor in Stroud, said: 'John's first election leaflet for Stroud District Council in the 1980s inspired me. 'I read it, phoned him, and within half an hour he was on my doorstep talking me into joining the Green Party and standing for election to work alongside him.' Jonathan Edmunds added: 'John was an amazing man who inspired so many people into the Green Party and peace movement. 'A real maverick, they certainly don't make them like John any more. 'He was so passionate about politics but also cared deeply for all people and the planet. 'Stroud will be a lot quieter without him but he has certainly left a great legacy and it is for all of us to continue his work.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tributes paid to country's first Green councillor
Tributes have been paid to a councillor described as "the ultimate community activist" after his death at the age of 86. The first Green councillor and mayor to be elected in the UK, John Marjoram, who lived in Stroud, Gloucestershire, died on Saturday after a long illness. He served in town and district levels of politics for 36 years before stepping down from active politics in 2021. Adrian Oldman, coordinator of Stroud District Green Party, said: "He was tenacious, passionate, and always supported the underdog." More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire Describing him as a "man of principle", Mr Oldman said Mr Marjoram always had time for others and had "a real commitment to help those who were in trouble". "John represented Stroud with integrity, dedication and a genuine desire to promote the well-being of people. "He was inspirational; the ultimate community activist, using the local political process to help people and improve our community. "Our hearts go out to his wife, Laura, and his family," he added. An environmentalist, quaker and pacifist, Mr Marjoram co-founded Stroud District Green Party in 1985 before being elected to the Trinity ward seat on Stroud District Council the following year. A member of the district council's planning committee, Mr Marjoram has been described as pivotal in preventing some of the town's landmarks from demolition, such as former cloth factory, Hill Paul and Woodchester Mansion. As well as serving as a district councillor, Mr Marjoram was later elected to Stroud Town Council when it was formed in 1990, before becoming the UK's first Green Party mayor. Serving as mayor for 10 civic years and deputy mayor for seven, he introduced the idea of the "Mayor's Bench", a particular bench in the town centre where he would sit every Friday so residents could talk to him. He also played active roles in campaigns such as opposing cuts to public services, the campaign against the Gulf War and to remain in the EU. Locally, he was a founding member of the Stroud Campaign Against the Ring Road in the 1970s and helped a campaign to buy Lansdown Hall for the community. He also called for the first-past-the-post voting system to be changed to proportional representation. In 2023, Mr Marjoram received the title of Stroud Town's first Honorary Freeman in recognition of his services to the community. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Stroud council leader steps down after three years Denyer won't seek re-election as Green Party co-leader Mayor census refusal case dropped Green Party Stroud District
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Tributes paid to 'ultimate community activist' John Marjoram
Tributes have been paid to a councillor described as "the ultimate community activist" after his death at the age of first Green councillor and mayor to be elected in the UK, John Marjoram, who lived in Stroud, Gloucestershire, died on Saturday after a long served in town and district levels of politics for 36 years before stepping down from active politics in Oldman, coordinator of Stroud District Green Party, said: "He was tenacious, passionate, and always supported the underdog." Describing him as a "man of principle", Mr Oldman said Mr Marjoram always had time for others and had "a real commitment to help those who were in trouble"."John represented Stroud with integrity, dedication and a genuine desire to promote the well-being of people."He was inspirational; the ultimate community activist, using the local political process to help people and improve our community."Our hearts go out to his wife, Laura, and his family," he added. An environmentalist, quaker and pacifist, Mr Marjoram co-founded Stroud District Green Party in 1985 before being elected to the Trinity ward seat on Stroud District Council the following year.A member of the district council's planning committee, Mr Marjoram has been described as pivotal in preventing some of the town's landmarks from demolition, such as former cloth factory, Hill Paul and Woodchester well as serving as a district councillor, Mr Marjoram was later elected to Stroud Town Council when it was formed in 1990, before becoming the UK's first Green Party as mayor for 10 civic years and deputy mayor for seven, he introduced the idea of the "Mayor's Bench", a particular bench in the town centre where he would sit every Friday so residents could talk to him. 'Honorary Freeman' He also played active roles in campaigns such as opposing cuts to public services, the campaign against the Gulf War and to remain in the he was a founding member of the Stroud Campaign Against the Ring Road in the 1970s and helped a campaign to buy Lansdown Hall for the also called for the first-past-the-post voting system to be changed to proportional 2023, Mr Marjoram received the title of Stroud Town's first Honorary Freeman in recognition of his services to the community.
