Devon success at 2015 SMK Campaigner awards
A key figure in the campaign to save the Tinside Lido has been awarded for his work by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation.
Kevin Kelway, 52, from Plymouth's historic Barbican collected 70,000 signatures demanding that the iconic outdoor pool stayed open in the late 1990's.
His enduring work won the support of English Heritage and the 20th Century Society, securing a Grade 2 listing of the site and the pool re-opened in 2002 after the completion of a £3.2m restoration project. He now campaigns to save other local attractions.
The People & Place Local Campaigner Award presented to Kevin by community campaigner, Rukayah Sarumi at the House of Lords, was one of a number of people and groups from across the UK who were honoured for having helped to 'make a difference' at the Foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration.
Mr Kelway said: "I started public campaigning in the early 1990's, on Plymouth's historic Barbican where I was born and grew up.
"Creating and coordinating a local residents' group was my first experience of collective people power, and collective community effort for the wider area.
"I started the Tinside Action Group in 1998, with the aim to save England's finest outdoor art deco lido from being demolished by the local council.
"The campaign took nearly 5 years, and drew in the support of English Heritage, Twentieth Century Society, and managed to persuade the Government to Grade 2 list the site in 1999, after a 70,000 petition was raised and handed into the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
"Other campaigns included raising 30,000 signatures to Keep Gibraltar British, and 5,000 petitions to support a public campaign in the UK and the Rock to link the overseas territory to the South West Euro Constituency, and a proud moment personally.
"It is a great honour to be shortlisted for this prestigious award and if I win I'd like to thank all those 105,000 people who have supported my campaigns over the years."
Linda Butcher, SMK’s chief executive said: ‘Sheila McKechnie was a campaigning force of nature - one of the most eloquent and effective campaigners of her generation. She stood up against inequality wherever she saw and heard it, campaigning to create lasting change throughout her life, notably in areas such as health and safety, housing and homelessness and consumer rights.
"Her campaign successes have benefited – and continue to benefit - millions of people across the UK – most of whom won’t even know it.
"The SMK Campaigner Awards provide us with a unique opportunity to recognise and thank some of the inspiring, innovative and often courageous people who are speaking out to effect change.
"All of our winners this year are a credit to the causes and communities they serve and demonstrate the important role campaigners play within our democracy. Congratulations to Kevin for all his hard work and his well-deserved award.’
The 2015 awards were presented by author and broadcaster Muriel Gray and attended by politicians Zac Goldsmith and Victor Abebowale.
