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 Jim Lagden |
Canal celebration co-founder who had ‘inner vision’
CAMPAIGNERS for Islington’s improving waterways paid tribute this week to Jim Lagden, co-founder of the Angel Canal Festival, who has died aged 76.
Jim, with his guide dog Flint, was a familiar figure in the borough and helped launched Friends of Islington Museum and Clerkenwell Festival, as well as the canal festival in the mid-80s. All are still going strong.
He was particularly looking forward to the opening shortly of the new £2million City Road Basin Plaza being built by Islington Council with government funding.
Del Brenner, a member of the London Mayor’s Waterways Commission, received an email from Jim a day before he died, expressing his enthusiasm for the plaza scheme.
Mr Brenner said: “Jim described the launch as an important event in our local history.
“The scheme will open out the neglected basin and offer superb views to residents and visitors to the canal and the waterside area.”
But Jim was worried that plans for twin tower blocks at the basin – currently on hold due to the recession – could ruin the area’s heritage and views along the towpath.
Born in Sussex, Jim came to north London from the Midlands and qualified as an actuary.
He worked as a festival organiser in the Brighter Islington campaign. When the campaign came to an end as money ran out, he continued in a voluntary capacity.
Jim was recognised by the borough in 2006, when he received the Mayor’s Civic Award for services to the community. He also received an award from Islington Volunteer Centre for outstanding contribution to volunteering in the borough.
Beryl Windsor, volunteer co-ordinator of the Angel Festival and a good friend, said that, although Jim’s sight was failing due to worsening glaucoma, his “inner vision was very strong and, at the time of his death, he was still doing his voluntary work”.
She added: “He was a great campaigner and we’re all going to miss him.”
Jim’s wife Jacqueline died 18 months ago of cancer. They lived in south Hampstead. There were no children. |
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