Alison West

The death has been announced of Alison Cribb, formerly Alison West, who was Chief Executive of Community Development Foundation for many years, and more recently of the National Extension College. Alison died at Addenbrookes Hospital on the afternoon of 29 December. Those who knew her will have no doubt of the ferocity with which she fought her cancer.

The funeral will be held at 11.15 am on Sunday 17 January at Cambridge Crematorium.

Alison always believed in me as a writer and now I find I cannot structure a sentence. Here are some adjectives that come to mind: inspirational, passionate, quick-thinking, lively, busy, wholly genuine, practical, argumentative, hugely generous, relentlessly positive.

Alison was politically very astute but could relate instantly to anyone at their level. Her bullshit-detector was always primed and utterly dependable. Unlike so many managers, she was never too important; but (as we saw when she faced up to the Home Secretary to defend her organisation against savage threatened cuts) would never shrink from her responsibilities.

My favourite recollection was of a time when England were playing a world cup match deemed of importance to some, during office hours. She knew the secretarial and reception staff wanted to watch it, so she set up a tv in her office and took over reception duties for the duration.

I think she was probably the best thing that ever happened to CDF. If you knew Alison, please feel free to add your own adjectives or anecdotes below.

Comments

[Paul Slatter]

She was an impressive and powerful advocate. I am sad to read of her death.

[Richard Steer]

It was a real privilege to have worked for Alison West during my time at CDF. To have such an indomitable and inspiring leader naturally bred confidence and commitment in her staff. One thought I often had about Alison was, I'm really glad she's on our side. I see more clearly now that, most importantly, she was on the side of the disadvantaged individuals and communities who most needed a strong advocate and champion. In Alison West they had just such a supporter. I'll remember Alison with awe and affection, and also with a smile for her energy, enthusiasm and laughter.

[David Wilcox]

I knew Alison when she was a development worker in North Kensington ... which I'm sure must have been a good grounding for the higher-level politics of community development, snd also ensured that she could continue to connect with neighbourhood-level issues. When I met her later, when I was working as a consultant, she was always interested in development outside her immediate sphere of activity and managed to make you feel that what you were doing was worthwhile. She offered a little something of her spirit to take with you.

[John Highkin]

I have not seen Alison or Tim for many years. During two years as Tim's student at Churchill College in the mid-1980s, I often went to London where they lived to troop around the city looking for off-beat theaters. Alison was sharp, astute and very funny; generous and understanding. She had little patience for artistic pretension. I am terribly saddened to learn that she has died.

[Charlie Garratt]

Have to echo Kevin's comments. Alison and I worked closely together throughout the 90s and she was undoubtedly the most supportive manager I've ever had. From the moment she arrived at CDF she always had time to talk and to work through issues that were arising. In the mid- to late-90s she was faced with difficult choices in the organisation and although I know it would have troubled her greatly she never flinched from taking decisions that she thought would place CDF in a safe position financially.

Alison was a much admired public speaker and I occasionally deputised for her, much to the disappointment of the conference audiences that were expecting her insight and willingness to say things that were perhaps not always popular.

When I moved from CDF, Alison was always willing to provide advise and support when I was struggling with the choices that a chief executive has to make.

Unfortunately I'd lost touch with Alison over the last couple of years and wasn't aware of her illness. She will be sadly missed.

[Kevin]

Funeral this morning: it was so crowded that there were many standing in the doorway and porch, several of us had to stand out in the cold, unable to make out any of the content of the proceedings but hearing just the occasional snatch of song, which indicates how significant Alison was to so many. The cold of the world shrinks us, but the values of people like her radiate, giving us stature. You just have to be in the right place to catch the rays.

There's plenty still to do, and I think she'd want to know why we aren't getting on with it.

[Alison Gilchrist]

Like others I remember Alison's time at CDF with fondness and found her to be generous, challenging and always kind on a personal level. I am grateful for the support and encouragement she gave me when I was new to national working and not always confident in my role as regional links manager.

I last saw her in Cambridge when our paths unexpectedly crossed on the stairs at the NEC - her leaving with a huge bunch of flowers to celebrate her retirement; me on my way to consult my union rep over redundancy. I really valued her support and respect at this juncture. I was sad that despite my efforts, I never managed to visit her at home as she always seemed to be too ill on the days when I phoned. I will have to live with that disappointment.

The funeral was a fantastic occasion, but it always seems so weird that the person who has drawn us all together is not there to listen to the tributes, feel the love, enjoy the music and facilitate the reception/networking afterwards.

I will be writing something for CYWU's Rapport magazine and for CDF News in the next few days, so if anyone wants to contribute any special memories or insights, please post them here or send direct to me on [email protected]