Tributes
Sylvia ConwaySylvia, Jim Conway's widow, must receive special mention here. She was Honorary President of the Foundation from its beginning until her death in 1995. In that capacity, she attended most trustee meetings.
Trustees Over the years, there were many JCF trustees, mostly retired trade union officials, but not entirely. Each gave their time freely, attending four annual meetings, including the Annual General Meeting.
It would not be appropriate to mention them all by name, but two deserve special thanks. They were trustees for the charity's entire 25-year existence.
Charlie Elliott was vice president of the Civil & Public Services Association (CPSA). Charlie met the Director at the 1974 Trades Union Congress annual conference and became firm friends. Charlie was Chairman of Trustees from 1980 until 1993. Sadly, Charlie died in 2011.
Norman Jones QC first met the Director during the 1975 European Referendum campaign. Throughout that period, Norman worked very closely with Andy Wood. He was particularly helpful in setting up the foundation and establishing its early development. Norman died suddenly and unexpectedly in January 2023.
As with Charlie, Norman supported the charity's aims and aspirations.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/announcements-june-16-n0wbbkbd6l8
JCF Annual Memorial LectureThe lecturers not only gave their time, knowledge, and experience, but did so without personal gain to themselves; all are especially thanked. Those who chaired each lecture and the authors of each chapter must also be recognised for their valuable contribution, each freely and generously giving their time and expertise.
JCF Administrative StaffWhilst administrative staff turnover was minimal, several served the organisation for an extended period and are worthy of a special mention:
Margery Oliver was the Director's secretary/assistant from 1977 to 1986.
Pam Bighi filled the same position from 1990 for the rest of the organisation's existence.
Alison Wharton only served in the position for three years but played an essential and supportive role within the organisation.
Remarks emanating from the Research Department indicated that "Alison and Pam served as good sources of guidance and advice to researchers".
Carol Sowerby joined the JCF from school as an office junior in 1978. In 1986, Carol became the organisation's first Office Manager, a position she held until 1990 when she relocated away from Teesside.
Research OfficersSeveral Research Officers are mentioned in earlier pages. Others also played an essential role in helping the JCF become recognised as a leading national, European, and international research and educational organisation.
Many went on to achieve greater success in their chosen paths. The JCF cannot declare any contribution to their respective achievements, but it can claim to have offered them the first rung of the ladder to their own individual success.
Paul Rathkey was the first and longest-serving researcher. The organisation may not have survived without Paul's valuable and dedicated contribution during those early years.
Calvin Allen and Ian Cunningham should also be mentioned. Their dedicated input during the 1990s, enabled the JCF to extend its boundaries’ into Central & Eastern Europe and beyond.
All staff played their part in supporting the JCF's charitable work and helping realise its aspirations. The objectives of 1974 would not have been achieved without them.
This image shows JCF staff in 1984. It accompanied an article in the Teesside Evening Gazette, relating to the work of the organisation and its success in the field of employment creation for young people. Those mentioned on this website: Far left is Carol Sowerby, fourth from the left is Margorie Oliver, far right is Paul Rathkey; seated in the foreground is Andy Wood. The photograph was taken in the Research Department & Library. The image has been colourised for clarity.
Dr David Bright and Dr John NewtonDavid and John greatly impacted the education and training programmes, particularly the organisation's core activity, the trade union weekend seminars and workshops. Their valuable contribution defined the ethos of the JCF. David is also recognised for introducing other professional colleagues from around the country, who assisted across the entire foundation's UK and international curricula.
Jim McGough It would be remiss not to mention this gentleman. Jim was a graphic artist and designer. From its inception, Jim designed all JCF publications, stationery, etc. The one exception was Paul Rathkey's 'Time Innovations and the Deployment of Manpower'. This was because the book's publication was out of JCF control.
In the early days, Jim was employed by a graphic design company. He gave his time freely to assist the fledgling charity. Later, he set up his own business, Graphic Example; the JCF remained a Graphic Example client until 1998.”
Professor Robin SmithRobin was most helpful in setting up the JCF and actively supported the organisation from its conception through to 1998. The JCF would not have had such sound foundations had it not been for Robin. His involvement ranged from founding trustee, first lecturer and tutor to generally supporting the organisation.
"He was also heavily involved in the Jim Conway Foundation, which ran weekend seminars for trade unionists.”
https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/16697595.obituary-robin-smith-head-carlisle-university-campus/
Professor Roger Undy
Roger must be mentioned for the support he gave to the Director and the organisation from the very early days through to 1998. The inspiration he gave cannot be described in words alone. He was particularly motivating to younger delegates at the weekend seminars and workshops.
Roger left school at 15, and started work as an apprentice fitter; later becoming active in the Amalgamated Engineering Union. He gained a TUC scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford in 1967.
At Ruskin he secured a ‘State Scholarship for Mature Students at Oxford University's Wadham College
Roger went on to become one of the country’s leading academics in the field of Industrial relations and trade union organisation.
An EpitaphAndy Wood retired on 31 July 1998. His successor was a trade union sponsored university graduate.
The Charity Commission ceased to record the Jim Conway Memorial Foundation as a charity in November 2000. No reason for the removal is given.
The following link was posted for which the date is unknown:
https://www.labourstart.org/conway.shtml
The link indicates that the document referenced "was last modified: Monday, 08-Dec-2003". No date for the original post is specified.
It isn't easy to ascertain from that document whether the JCF continued to follow its obligations under its own Governing Document.
There is no reference to the core principle of UK grass root activity.
Acknowledgements
British Library - for the supply of black and white images of JCF Focus and the Impact of Democratic Change on Training.
Dr David Bright - for his advice & encouragement
Professor Ian Cunningham - for support and supply of many of the publication images used.
Jason Houlston - for the web design and development of the website
John Joynson - for relating some of his experiences representing the JCF in The Serbo-Croat-Bosnian Region.
Irene Wood - for her generous support.
Katy Wood - for all illustrated portraits used.
Dr John Newton - for his advice and contribution in helping to describe the educational programmes for the 1970s and 1980s.
Paul Rathkey - for support and the provision of his full JCF research CV, a published copy of Time Innovations, and the Deployment of Manpower book, and for making some of the images used available.
Takeru Inagaki - for the provision of all images relating to JCF activity with Japan.
Funding & Sponsoring Agencies
• Affiliated trade unions
• Anglo-German Foundation
• British Council
• Commission of the European Communities, Directorate-General X
• Commission of the European Communities, Directorate-General V
• Department of Education & Science
• Dulverton Trust
• Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
• European Centre for Work & Society
• European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
• European Social Fund.
• European Union, Poland and Hungary: Assistance for Restructuring their Economies (PHARE)
• European Union, Technical programme for Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS)
• Foreign Office Know How Fund
• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
• Gatsby Foundation
• German Marshal Fund
• Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
• Henry Smith Charity
• Individual subscribers
• International Confederation of Free Trade Unions
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation
• Kleinwort Benson Charitable Trust
• Leverhulme Trust
• Manpower Services Commission: Job Creation Programme
• Penal Reform Trust
• Regional Development Agency
• Society for Work Options
• University of Durham
• Westminster Foundation
• W.O. Street Foundation
The development of this site has been with a sparse amount of available material. It may be viewed as being written with too much detail in some aspects and too little in other areas. Apologies if some feel this is the case. All available images have been used, many have not survived.