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Tributes have been paid to builder, trade unionist and tenants’ rights activist Roy Kellett, who has died aged 81 following a battle with prostate cancer.

Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, in 1935, Mr Kellett moved to Brighton as an adult, before arriving in London, the city he loved and where he would remain for the rest of his life.


He spent most of his working life in the building trade and was active in the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), showing great commitment to improving working conditions and health and safety on the many building sites where he worked.

A committed socialist, he was active during the miners’ strike in the mid-1980s and helped organise a local support group.

In the early 1990s, he was unable to work following an accident which resulted in a severely damaged leg. Over several years he recovered sufficiently to regain his mobility through a daily exercise routine.

It was during this period that he was allocated a bedsit in the old Cutbush House sheltered accommodation scheme in Hilldrop Road, Holloway, adjacent to Hilldrop Community Centre.

Initially, Mr Kellett attended the centre’s over-55s lunch club but quickly became more deeply involved in its management committee, later becoming chairman.

An ever-present at the community centre, he became good friends with its manager, Bob Drinkwater, who retired last year.

At the same time he got involved in Cutbush House Tenants’ Association, first as secretary and then chairman, where he fought – and won – many battles over living conditions of the older people in the block.

Mr Kellett ensured that the authorities, Islington Council and later Circle 33 housing association, were well aware of residents’ needs.

In one instance he defended the right of residents in sheltered accommodation to a free or much reduced television licence. He took this up with the Government Ombudsman, who eventually ruled in residents’ favour.

This was to benefit not only Cutbush House but sheltered residents throughout the country.

EU-inspired regulations meant the whole concept of Cutbush House had to be changed, including the end of communal bathrooms. It was a difficult time for residents, who loved their sense of community and were suspicious of the new plans.

However, Mr Kellett represented them with expertise and skill. The block was eventually rebuilt to a high specification and he was delighted with the new living conditions.

From his new flat overlooking Brecknock Road Mr Kellett had a good view; there was a communal lounge and garden at the back. It was to be his final home.

Mr Kellett, a self-taught and cultured man, loved poetry, literature, music and art and in his later years became enthralled with Italian art and culture and all things Roman. He developed an extensive knowledge of Roman engineering.

He was a great admirer of Jeremy Corbyn, his MP. Paying tribute, Mr Corbyn said: “Roy was a thoughtful socialist and lived his life as such. To visit him was always a pleasure; to work with him an honour.

“I saw him while campaigning in May. Despite his suffering, he was, as always, a pleasure and a delight to see. We talked about the Labour Party and his pleasure at the growth in members and radical economic stance we now have, and wished us well.”

Mr Kellett died on August 15 following an illness lasting many months.

Friend and former manager of Hilldrop community centre, Mr Drinkwater, said: “Roy campaigned locally on many issues. Being a very modest man he would never claim individual responsibility for his achievements.

“He remained in good spirit with an active and generous mind. Roy was an exceptionally nice man of great integrity and will be sorely missed by those who knew him.”

Mr Kellett is survived by daughter Tina and grandson Damien, 25, on whom he doted. The funeral is at Islington Crematorium on Wednesday at 2.30pm.

Mr Kellett’s family have asked people not to bring flowers but to instead make donations to Marie Curie charity, which supported him during the last stages of his life.