Tributes paid to ex-mayor

TRIBUTES were paid for a former mayor of Peterborough who played a key role in housing Ugandan Asian families when they were expelled by Idi Amin in 1972,

writes Robert Alexander.

Charles Swift OBE

(above) died on August 17, following a battle with cancer. The funeral of the former mayor and city councillor took place earlier this month.

Swift was appointed an OBE for services to the public in 1985 having first been elected as a Labour Councillor for the North Ward on July 1, 1954, when he was just 23. He was, at that time, the youngest member elected to the city council, and having served the city for the next 62 years until May 9, 2016, and was thought to be the longest-serving councillor in British history.

Long-term friend and colleague on the council, John Peach said at the time of his death: “I’ve known Charles Swift all my life really – my late parents who were in business in the city often used to speak to him in their shop and listen to what he was saying and happening on the council.”

‘Charlie’ as he was affectionately known to his friends and fellow councillors, led Peterborough City Council for more than 20 years. He became the youngest ever mayor of the city when he was only 30 years old, during which time in office he oversaw enormous changes to Peterborough as a city.

In 1972, he set aside 50 council houses in the city as a welcome to Ugandan Asian families forced to flee their homes in their own country.

But through this extraordinary gesture of kindness, both he and his family were subjected to a harsh backlash from some members of the community.

Undeterred, he continued to serve as a councillor for North Ward as an independent for the next 24 years, until even he had to admit that it was time to call it a day at the age of 86.

Wayne Fitzgerald, leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “Charles’ contribution to the community in Peterborough and more widely was exceptional – he always went out of his way to help people.”

Swift is survived by wife Brenda, four sons, two of whom he adopted, and one daughter, eight grandchildren as well as 11 great grandchildren.