UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Monday 13 December 2010

Billy Liddon's Memory Honoured‏

A social housing scheme has been named in memory of Welsh UNISON activist Billy Liddon who passed away in 2009.  Liddon Court was opened last week by Newydd housing in the mining community of Beddau, South Wales.

Billy had devoted his life to fighting for workers rights. He played a leading role during the Great Miners Strike of 1984/85 as NUM Branch Secretary of Cym Colliery in the Beddau area. After the mine closed in 1987 Billy moved into working with young offenders and children in care in his local council of Rhondda Cynon Taff. He became an influential UNISON activist holding the positions of Assistant Branch Secretary and Branch President and was prominent in the pay and pensions disputes during the past decade.

Newydd Chief Executive Paul Roberts said that his organisation had ‘no hesitation in naming the new development in memory of an individual who had played such a valuable and meaningful role within the local community, especially as it overlooks Cym Colliery’.

The opening ceremony was attended by Billy’s partner Bev, UNISON NEC member Dilys Jouvenat and many proud members of the Liddon family.