Southport Back in Time Town’s fond farewell
SCORES of people have been sharing their fond memories of former Southport MP Baron Ronnie Fearn, with one political contemporary declaring: “It really is the end of an era and we shall not see his likes again in Southport in my lifetime”.
Ronnie Fearn, who died aged 90, was twice elected as MP for Southport, serving as a Liberal and then a Liberal Democrat MP for Southport between 1987 to 1992, and again from 1997 to 2001.
When he was first elected, he did so despite Southport having returned Conservative MPs for the previous 63 years, ever since 1924.
He also served for over 50 years as a Southport councillor, representing Norwood Ward with distinction, and was a hugely popular figure on the amateur dramatic scene as an active member of All Souls Dramatic Club.
In the 1985 Birthday Honours, Ronnie Fearn was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
He received a life peerage and joined the House of Lords as Baron Fearn of Southport in 2001.
In 1955, Lord Fearn married Joyce Edna Dugan; they had a son, Martin, and a daughter, Susan.
Ronnie Fearn completed his national service in the Royal Navy, and was a past President of the Southport branch of the Royal Naval Association.
Southport’s Conservative MP from 1992-97, Matthew Gordon-Banks – who was elected in between Ronnie Fearn’s two spells in the role – expressed his sorrow to family and friends of his former political rival.
Mr Banks, who won the seat from Lord Fearn in 1992, after three years of being a Parliamentary candidate, spoke of his sorrow on hearing of his death and recalled the tough battle he had to beat what he described as a “local celebrity” when seeking to enter Parliament.
He said: “Ronnie had been heavily involved in the local community for many years, in so many ways, when I was first selected to fight him at a General Election. I was 30 years his junior.
“By 1992 he knew I genuinely cared very much about Southport, and he also knew that I considered that he was a tough person to beat. It was still a shock for him when his majority was overturned and I tried to be kind and magnanimous when I won and dignified in 1997, when it was time for a change of government.
“I last saw him at the House of Lords, friendly and smiling, as always, and he seemed at home there, just as he was on the green benches of the Commons.
“It really is the end of an era and we shall not see his likes again in Southport in my lifetime”.
Cllr Sir Ron Watson CBE served in local politics alongside Ronnie Fearn for many years, after first serving as a councillor in 1973.
He said: “I was very sorry to learn of the loss of Lord Ronnie Fearn OBE.
“When I was first elected to Southport County Borough Council, Ronnie Fearn was one of the first councillors to congratulate me and offered to help me in any way he could, which was very typical of him, the more I got to know him over the years.
“He really always remained loyal to Local Government and I well remember asking him when he was first elected as our MP whether or not he intended to stand down from the council but he was adamant that he would not do so because he believed that it was always important to retain your political base.
“I have attended many meetings with him together with a range of outside events and one of his great skills was that he could relate to everybody and nothing was too much trouble for him, particularly with constituents who sought his help.
“His elevation to the House of Lords gave Southport a voice in this very important body and he made a range of interventions over the years where I know he applied his local knowledge to a national issue.
“I feel so sorry for his wonderful wife Joyce who is a special person and the rest of his family.
“Southport has lost one of its iconic public figures with an exemplary record of service at every level but at the end of the day he will be remembered as a people person and this to me was his greatest strength.”
Lots of people locally have been paying their tributes, with many thanking him for the support he gave them over the years.
Speaking on the Stand Up For Southport website, Suzanne Byrne said: “Au revoir Mr Southport.
“You leave behind a wonderful legacy for which all of Southport should thank you for.
“He helped me to get my late mother into a rest home when I had no idea of what to do or how to do it. He simply guided me through the process and he got nothing out of it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Speaking on the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group, Russ Hawkins said: “Sorry to hear this. In many ways he was Mr Southport.”
Clare Coleman said: “This is so sad... I will be forever grateful to Lord Fearn as he awarded me a grant to help fund my full-time training in classical ballet.’’
She continued: “If it wasn’t for him I really don’t think I would have been able to pursue my career as a professional ballet dancer.
“I will never forget what he did for me. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
“Thank you again Ronnie, from the bottom of my heart.”
Adam Urbanowski said: “So sad to hear of Lord Ronnie’s death he was such a nice guy, the ultimate Ambassador for Southport and a proper gentleman our thoughts are with his lovely wife Joyce and the family RIP Lord Fearn OBE.”
Mary Wren said: “What a very sad day for Southport. He and Joyce made us so welcome when we came here and he was such a great help getting No 6 Weld Road established. RIP Ronnie and condolences to Joyce.”
Former Southport Visiter news editor Angela Danby said: “So sad to read this. Ronnie and I got on very well and shared the same sense of humour. A really nice guy. Sending love to Joyce, and Maureen too.”
David Harrison said: “Second comments from me today about someone who I have known so well from when I was manager of the Moulin Rouge.