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Former postal worker, trade unionist and prolific tenants’ right campaigner Fred Calcott MBE has died, aged 81.

Fred, who lived on the Palmer Estate in Archway where he had a community hall named after him two years ago, lost his battle with cancer last Wednesday.

Born in Clarence House, off Holloway Road, in 1935, the lifelong Islington resident and staunch Arsenal fan attended Tollington Park Secondary School, now Islington Arts and Media School.

During World War II he was evacuated to Leicestershire with his brother Ray, now 83, who lives in Crawley, Sussex.

Aged 20, Fred met Margaret, his wife of 59 years, at a Saturday night social club at St Joseph’s dance hall on Highgate Hill. The couple courted for two years before they wed at the Congregational Church in Junction Road – now a block of flats – on August 10, 1957.

The couple later moved to Pemberton Terrace on the Palmer estate. They had two sons, Paul, born in December 1959, and John, in May 1963.

Fred, a lifelong member of Islington North Labour Party, worked as a postman and rose to become branch secretary of the Communication Workers Union for the parcel section at the Mount Pleasant sorting office. He later moved to the branch in St Pancras Way, Camden, and was a respected negotiator on behalf of workers.

In the 1970s Fred was elected by councillors to serve on Islington Council as an alderman. He sat on the recreation and housing committees at the Town Hall.

This is where his interest in helping people with housing issues started. He also became involved in the Palmer estate tenants’ association, of which he was soon chairman, and served as a Justice of the Peace.

Fred received an MBE in 1998, eight years after he retired, for services to the Post Office and to the community. It was something he felt incredibly honoured by, his family said.

Close friend George Dur­ack said: “Fred spent his life trying to help people. That was his goal. He’s been a good pal of mine for years and it’s very sad to see him go down like that. He was always willing to serve and he was a nice man too. He’d never slag anyone off.”

Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn added: “I knew Fred for over 35 years as a postal worker, trade union activist and tenant representative, a great campaigner and Labour Party member. He was a committed member of the management board of the Peabody trust and somebody who was loved and trusted by everyone in the community.

“I feel very sad at his passing, but reflect on somebody who stood up for local people and local issues.”

Fred is survived by Margaret, 78, Paul, 56, John, 53, and grandchildren Paige, 19, and Megan, 21. A funeral will be held at St Marylebone Crematorium, East End Road, Finchley, at 2pm on May 12.



Centre named after Fred
AS chairman of the Palmer estate tenants’ association – a post he held until last year – Fred Calcott was the first tenant to join the Peabody housing association board in 2002. He negot­iated on behalf of tenants while maintaining a good relationship with the housing association.

Peabody chief executive Stephen Howlett said: “Fred made an enormous contribution to Peabody for almost 50 years. He holds a special place in our history which will never be forgotten.

“He was the first resident board member of Peabody. Having been a shop steward, his experience of meetings stood him in good stead. He was assiduous in speaking up for our residents. Even after he stood down I was always pleased to be invited to Fred and his wife Margaret’s lovely home and have a chat over a cup of tea.

“In 2014, we were delighted to name our new community centre on the Palmer estate in his honour as a lasting recognition of his contribution to Peabody. He will be missed and our thoughts are with all of the many people who loved and respected him.”

Some years ago Peabody introduced a Fred Calcott Lifetime Achievement Award for tenants who have shown a dedication to their community over a long period of time.