Very sad news from Richard Strattan that his father George passed away on 12 December at the fine old age of 89 in Southport, Lancs.

Although badly plagued by Parkinson's Disease in his later years, George never gave in to it and continued to involve himself in political issues, play golf and sing at The Bothy Folk Club, The Ship and Maghull Day of Music whenever the opportunity arose.

I first met George, with his late wife Vi, at The Bothy Folk Club in Southport in 2001 when we discovered a mutual appreciation of Dick Gaughan, from whom (thanks to George) I received a special birthday kiss when he appeared at the club sometime later. Then there was the May Day March on The Wirral in 2002 when George was kind enough to introduce me to one of my idols, Tony Benn. Since our return to Australia we kept up our long distance friendship with letters, cards, phone calls and earlier this year, we managed to spend a couple of memorable days with him during a trip back to the UK.

A man of immense integrity and compassion, and a tireless worker for those less well off than himself; he was also a talented singer of what he considered were the 'real' folk songs - especially those that carried a message for the enrichment of our society.

Sleep well dear comrade, the world is a better place for your efforts.

Yours In Unity and sadness

gecko



Below is the obituary from the Liverpool Daily Post, 17 December 2009.

Liverpool Daily Post December 17 2009

Merseyside Folksinger and CND campaigner George Strattan dies in a Southport nursing home

George Strattan

IF ALL that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing, then evil met a fierce adversary in George Strattan.
Because, throughout his life, George, invariably with his devoted wife, Viola, at his side, worked tirelessly in support of causes he felt so strongly about.
George was prominently involved in establishing Merseyside Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in the early 1980s and fought to rid the UK of American Cruise Missiles and the replacement of the Polaris Missile System with Trident Nuclear Submarines.
The couple were at the heart of Crosby CND, where they lived for many years, and Merseyside Action for Peace (Trades Union CND), George having been an active member of AEUW-TASS all his working and retired life.
They went on to form Merseywatch, a local anti-nuclear environmental group which was set up to highlight the dangers from radio-active contamination in the Irish Sea caused by Sellafield.
George and Vi, as she was known to friends, were founder members of the Merseyside Chernobyl Children's Project, which still brings children affected by the disaster at the nuclear power station in Belarus to Crosby every summer for medical treatment, rest and recuperation.
George's activity extended beyond Crosby and Merseyside to national and international interests, particularly with friends and campaigners in Germany and Ireland.
Into his retirement, he continued to play an active role in Merseyside CND.

He was among those to protest outside the Labour party conference in Southport in 2003 against the Iraq war, explaining: "It is important that ordinary people make their position clear."
Although widowed, George enjoyed an active social life, singing for many years at the Bothy Folk Club in Southport.
He was known for his repertoire of Scottish songs, peace songs and trade union songs before health problems prevented his regular attendance.
He passed away on Saturday in a Southport nursing home.
George Strattan, peace campaigner, trade unionist and folk singer; died December 12, 2009, aged 89