A Champion for Kew

10.24.22am GMT Thu 13th Nov 2003

Tony Barnett, known throughout the Borough as a tireless campaigner for his home village of Kew, died in Kingston Hospital on All Saints Day (1 November) 2003, after an illness of several months. He was 60.

Tony was a Liberal Democrat councillor for Kew from 1994 to 2003, but he had made his name long before then as a passionate environmentalist. Whenever Kew was threatened, whether by developers, by traffic or by any other means, Tony was right there in the forefront defending it.

In the early 1980s he spearheaded the successful multiparty 'Kewtag' campaign against the widening of the South Circular - their car stickers 'Don't Cut Kew in Two' causing widespread comment when spotted throughout Europe! He later played a leading role in the ten year battle against the St George's development on the riverside.

He stood for Parliament in Esher. Then as a member of Richmond-upon-Thames Council during the Liberal Democrat administration, he served as chair of the Social Services Committee. In the last year he has been the opposition spokesman for the environment.

Councillor Serge Lourie, former Leader of the Council, and Tony's fellow councillor for Kew, says: 'I was shocked to hear of Tony's death. He was a ferocious defender of the interests of Kew and was deeply embedded in his local community for which he did a great deal of good. His experience will be sorely missed both there and on the Council, where he held a number of important positions.'

As a councillor, he was especially devoted to the progress of local schools, being a governor of both Darell and Christ's. Brian Thompson, the former headteacher of Darell, writes: 'Tony was a dear man. He was what all governors are asked to be, a critical friend of the school, and he made a huge contribution with his astute financial acumen, but over and beyond that, his charm and sense of humour endeared him to his fellow governors and the school community.'

A qualified Chartered Accountant, Tony gained an MSc and lectured at the London School of Economics. He was awarded an MBA by the University of Chicago. This led to a career in advertising and trade magazine publishing, culminating in a directorship at Blendon Communications where his achievements were recognised by a visit to Boston earlier this year to receive on Blendon's behalf an international award as Britain's fastest growing company.

Tony was deeply concerned with the preservation of Kew's local shops. His commercial experience proved invaluable when in 1989 he formed the partnership that created and ran Kew Bookshop for more than thirteen years. 'His fellow traders have valued his enthusiasm and commitment to the village,' says David Games of Brandwares. 'His death is a very great loss for Kew.'

He travelled widely, especially in Northern and Eastern Europe and the USA, and also in Vietnam, where he was impressed by the recovery of that war-torn country. But mostly he spent what leisure time he had near home - either on his allotment at Manor Road, or at the RFU Twickenham where, a passionate Rugby fan, he was a familiar figure in the stands, acting for many years as a steward. Recently, spurred on by his love for Victorian literature, he made time to study for an MA in English at Kingston University.

David and Caroline Blomfield, his partners at Kew Bookshop, paid him this tribute: 'Tony has been a wonderful friend, from way back before we launched the Bookshop together. He has also been extraordinarily generous to those in trouble both here and throughout the world. We first met him urgently campaigning for the poor of Africa, years ahead of Live Aid and Comic Relief. This commitment was deep-seated.

Later he worked as financial and administrative director of the children's charity Childline, and when elected to the Council, serving alongside his long-time partner, Jill Miller, he was known for his dogged battles on behalf of countless individuals in need of housing or social care. All who knew Tony will want to send their love and deepest sympathy to his family: to Jill, his son Matthew and Jill's daughters, Joanna and Phoebe. We know how very much they will miss him.'

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Tony Barnett's funeral will be at St Winefride's, Leyborne Park, Kew, at 12.30 on Thursday 13 November. No flowers, but donations please in Tony's memory to CAFOD, FREEPOST, Romera Close, Stockwell Rd, SW9 9BR Tel: 0500 858 885 www.cafod.org