In addition to the foundation course in social science, I studied
"Introductory electronics." This was a half-unit course. Most people
studied one unit per year, if like me, they were in full-time employment.
In 1980 I was doing one and a half units. This was too much for me. After
the summer school in Cardiff, I attended a second summer school in Bath.
I enjoyed this, but failed the course. Electronics was one of the hardest
courses in the Open University syllabus. There was a low percentage of
Grade One passes in electronics, whereas in pure mathematics the number of
Grade One passes was higher than in any of the Arts subjects. Electronics
appeared to have the difficulties of mathematics together with the
unpredictabilities of arts subjects. Bath University was a more tranquil
place than Cardiff. The electronics students were quiet, mostly men
younger than me, who were very serious-minded in their approach to the
work. The high jinks of the technology foundation course did not exist. I
had a good night's sleep, a lonely week, and a day out in Bath, the
Cathedral city on the Saturday following the conclusion of the course.
I packed so many spare-time activities into 1980 and remained in the best
of health, apart from the usual coughs and colds; so it was a good year for
me. The Open University was the most interesting part of my year, as the
work at Central Books was somewhat boring, especially when I was used to
it. But I never had a spare moment at Central Books. Orders were flowing
in from Hungary and China, and I was thankful for this.
The first sad note in 1980 was the fact that Andrew told me that Brigid
Gifford had died from an overdose. The image of Brigid Gifford the last
time I saw her in 1975 sitting in the large common room in Mayola Road and
talking to Andrew, Valerie and me remains in my mind. She was a National
Cyrenian worker. The Cyrenians ran homes for the homeless in urban areas
and did this very successfully. Brigid had always looked the picture of
confidence. She found time to support the work at Mayola Road and had been
a founder member of the Mental Patients Union.
Shortly afterwards, Matthew O'Hara became seriously ill. He had been a
very active member of the Mental Patients Union and for about three years
successfully organised a large house in Woodford, on the same lines as
Mayola Road. On the folding up of the short life properties he had moved
to Ickburgh Road together with some other ex-MPU residents. This was a
large house owned by Newlon Housing Trust which also owned 177 Glenarm
Road. Matthew had successfully worked at a local firm as a caretaker and
handyman for several years, besides trying to assist with the needs of the
other tenants in Ickburgh Road. By February 1980 there were financial
difficulties at Ickburgh Road. The burden fell on Matthew as the house was
in his name and he was taken to Pentonville Prison after a dispute over the
payment of rates. He was very badly treated in prison and told Andrew that
he had been kicked about. His diabetes was neglected, and he fell into a
coma. Eventually he was taken to hospital where he remained for many
weeks, barely able to talk.
He left the Royal Northern Hospital and stayed one night at Mayola Road
during March. He was in such a bad state that he could barely walk a few
steps, and on the next day asked to be taken to Hackney Hospital. Andrew or
Valerie visited nearly every day, and on a few days when they were unable
to visit I saw him on my way home from work at Central Books. By the time
I saw him he appeared to be improving as he was able to talk to me briefly
and occasionally I took him small items like bananas. But I was worried by
the large red spots on his arms and legs and wondered whether they would
ever get better.
Matthew eventually appeared to get better and in April he was back at home
in Ickburgh Road and I saw him on one occasion riding his bike. I was
crossing the road at the time and the typical comment was, "Well, Joan it
was hard to avoid knocking you down!" This made me think he was better.
Andrew, with help from others who were concerned with prisons had started
an enquiry into what had happened to Matthew in Pentonville Prison.
We last saw Matthew in mid-May. It was a shock when he was found dead at
Ickburgh Road on June 26th. I have a cutting from the Hackney Gazette dated
August 1980 which states that his body was found in June and it was thought
that he had been dead for five weeks.
Andrew decided to go ahead with the extensive enquiries concerning
Matthew's treatment in prison. It would no longer help Matthew but would
benefit others in prison. The group called "Inquest" was formed by getting
together with others in similar situations. Blair Peach who was killed by
a policeman while on a demonstration had friends who joined with us, and
eventually half a dozen other groups of friends joined in, and had a large
meeting chaired by Michael Meacher MP at the House of Commons.
Andrew asked for an Ombudsman report about Matthew's treatment. This meant
that Andrew had to write lengthy reports in the knowledge that the result
might not be available for several years. In fact it was 1983 before the
Ombudsman's report was received and by this time "Inquest" was a very
active group.
Andrew arranged Matthew's funeral. His family from Ireland whom he had not
seen for about ten years came over to attend the Catholic funeral. I did
not go, as my father needed me to go to Manningtree that week-end to give
him some help. Before I went to Manningtree, I bought a wreath for
Matthew.
The rest of the year was fairly routine. I took the Open University
examination in November. In technology I had gained a distinction. In
social science I gained only a pass but was quite content with this.
Andrew put on some WEA classes in the autumn and when my O.U. work was
running down I was able to attend these and usually acted as collector of
class fees. I think we may have had classes in mental health policies in
Hackney as one WEA class. There was also a class in alternative
technologies at which Dave Elliot, the acknowledged expert was the speaker.
This encouraged me to think of going to Machynlleth in Wales for a holiday
next year. At Machynlleth is the innovative
"Alternative Technology
Centre", which generates its own electricity from wind and solar
power
sources.
At Christmas I spent a few days with my father, went to the local shops and
played chess. We listened to the Queen's speech on Christmas Day. This was
the subject of Dad's critical remarks, as usual. I went to Mass in
Manningtree. The Church of England had agreed to share with the Catholics
following the closure of the Catholic Church in Manningtree, which for a
congregation of about 25 people had proved to be non-viable.