Death of David Phillips

We regret to advise of the passing away of David Phillips on Thursday 23^rd December 2010.

David  made a sustained contribution to numerous projects in Waterloo from at least the 1960s until 2001 when failing health meant that he had to move into a residential care home..

In 1972 Lambeth Council started Neighbourhood Councils through out the Borough, except for Waterloo where they judged that there was so little community involvement and that there was no grass roots base for such a body.

In the 1970s community activity in Waterloo developed rapidly and Dave paid a large part  in many including Waterloo Action Centre.

David was responsible along with others for obtaining a derelict building in the heart of Waterloo in 1974 which was  gradually refurbished over the following years until eventually all of it became useable. Today the premises are open to the public about 96 hours a week, and accommodate dance and music, advice services, 5 minority churches, the Bangladeshi Community Group, Great Lakes African Women’s Network, activities for older people and much else. 17,800 different people used the Centre last year, many of these coming each week and some several times a week.

 David was a Founder Trustee for most of the development period, continuing even when his sight was failing and  was Chair of Waterloo Action Centre  for some of the time and also served as Treasurer.

David was also an active supporter of The Association of Waterloo Groups, an umbrella body which was the spring board for much of the community activity which developed from the 1970s onwards. These community initiatives had an enormous impact on improving Waterloo as a place to live and work and continue to the present day

David retained his very active voluntary work with the Scout movement in Waterloo until he left the area due to Ill Health. He was  well known to a great many people in the community who at times would turn to him for help. He was very well respected and is still remembered with high regard.

The community of Waterloo owe a lot for the work that David undertook and we send our sympathy to his family.