In Memoriam

Colin Hicks

We are very sad to let our readers know that we have been informed that long-standing member of RCPB(ML), Colin Hicks, passed away in April, 2024. Colin was in his 80s. We express our deep condolences to his family, comrades and friends.

Colin, who joined the Party's work in London in the 1970s, was an extremely loyal member of the Party, always putting the interests of the Party and the people above everything. He threw himself into organising the people in South and East London on joining the work. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was especially noted for the complex and responsible task of organising the logistics of the Party camps, earning an associated nick-name that stayed with him for the rest of his life. It was work for which he was well-suited, given his predilection for the outdoor life of camping, walking and hiking. Following his formal retirement, he utilised his love for the natural environment by taking up work as a professional gardener.

In the period following the founding of RCPB(ML), he first moved to South Wales to join the Party's work there, later moving to various locations in the West Country to organise that part of the country, ending up living in Cornwall for the later part of his life.

While he was in South Wales, the struggle of the youth for their rights broke out in earnest in 1981, which the authorities called "riots". Centres of struggle were Brixton, Liverpool and Manchester, among other places, one of which was St Paul's, Bristol. Colin was closely involved in organising the youth and the community of St Paul's at that time. Along with others, he produced a local newspaper, "Voice of the Youth", and organised such events as a concert "Hands Off the Youth" in defence of 12 youth of St Paul's who had been arrested. This work contributed to the collapse of the trial of the "St Paul's 12".

Whilst in Cornwall, he became very active in the work against war and for an Anti-War Government. He also allied with the forces in Cornwall taking up the question of Cornish self-determination. It also became a tradition for him to meet with the Party leadership every New Year in Exeter to discuss the application of the Party programme for that year in the West Country. One of the fruits of this was the holding in Exeter of the Party forum on the way forward to a new society.

Colin worked for a time in the construction industry, and used this expertise not only in renovations to his own dwellings, but in participating in the extensive renovation of the Party's John Buckle Centre over a number of years. It will never be forgotten how he stood in overalls and mask in the midst of clouds of dust and debris as he demolished wall after wall in the Centre, or how parts of the Centre were cordoned off and out of bounds as he reconstructed the floors.

Colin Hicks was also a keen photographer. In this capacity he took many high quality photos for the Party of demonstrations such as against the invasion of Iraq, as well as such workers' movement events as the commemoration of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Most importantly, Colin for many years was the custodian of the Party's photo archive, which he meticulously catalogued.

Neither should it be forgotten that Colin was an accomplished folk musician, regularly attending the Cornwall Folk Festival in Wadebridge. He put this expertise to good use in song-writing. He was especially proud of his song "Call Off Your Dogs of War", originally written to protest about the Iraq War, but which he thought would be particularly relevant to the anti-war movement of today. Colin sang this song as part of the progressive opera "Occupation Is Not Liberation", which was collectively written after the invasion of Iraq.

Colin Hicks will be remembered as very kind and considerate, eager to involve himself in discussion, and with a hardy disposition. For a few years before his death, while in his 80s, he had difficulty walking, but refused as far as possible to let this hinder his energetic work for democratic renewal.

In one of his last emails to the Party centre, he writes: "Life seems to be getting too complicated but I reckon that it's mostly connected to the actual or imminent collapse of Global Capitalism. Cheers!"

Colin, you will always be fondly remembered and find a place in our hearts!