It is with great sadness that we say long-standing Green Party member, Janet Alty passed away on 19th September at home in Leamington Spa, aged 86, in the presence of her two children, Ali and James. Both Warwick District Council (26/9) and Leamington Town Council (28/9) held a minute’s silence at their recent meetings in memory of Janet.
Janet had an incredible impact on the Green movement and the Green Party in particular. An early member of the Ecology Party, she was the party chair in 1987 and 1988 and was the life and soul of the Warwick District Green Party.
Janet’s home at the time was the centre of Green political activity – the comfortable sitting room was the home of networking and decision-making, another front room adorned with Green posters from all over Europe made us feel part of something much bigger and Janet showed us much warmth through good use of her kitchen. The back door was regularly open for Greens to wander in and out.. Janet was always here for us but she was a leader, never letting us go too far astray and had the magical ability to help others see the skills we had and how to put them to the best use for a better world.
Cllr Naveen Tangri sums up how many of us feel: “Janet was more than just a friend and mentor; she was an inspiration to many, myself included. Her unwavering dedication to environmental causes and her tireless efforts to make our community a better place will forever be remembered. Janet’s passion for the Green Party was contagious, and she had a unique ability to ignite that same passion in those fortunate enough to know her.”
Janet was a force of nature. Her drive and determination, stubbornness, her willingness to take responsibility and get on and do stuff, to put her head about the parapet, her preparedness to upset more powerful people (in a good way) and to be brave were essential to help the Green Party grow from a small base to now being the largest party locally and leading Warwick District Council.
Janet came close to becoming an MEP in 1989 but it was 26 years later that Janet was deeply proud to become Leamington’s first Town Councillor in 2015. There are now 17 Green District and County Councillors and 20 Town and Parish Councillors in Warwick District.
Beyond the Green Party, Janet and her late husband Christopher were critical in helping set up the Centre for Alternative Technology in the 1970s, which she supported for many years. Janet was an avid supporter of Living Streets and also helped set up a school in Haryana, India.
In Leamington Spa, Janet was responsible for helping set up many initiatives – the Gaia wholefoods co-operative, supporting Warwick District Faiths Forum and significantly, a group teaching English to women who arrived from the Punjab. Her work with Punjabi women was truly groundbreaking and liberating. Beyond this, Janet’s personal commitment to racial equality was impressive, for example, she helped fund Barristers for the family of a black man who died in police custody in Birmingham.
Janet’s extraversion and energy were always evident. Cllr Ian Davison describes Janet as “strong minded, ambitious and liked to follow her own path. I regarded Janet as in charge of special operations. For instance, one day she suddenly decided there ought to be a Leamington canal festival: much to my surprise it was a great success”.
Long-time Green member Pippa Austin reminded me that Janet always said “Greens know how to party”! Janet was a regular at green gatherings, festivals, Pride and was even one of the founders of Leamington Peace Festival. Her close friend, Marcia Watson tells me that Janet sometimes managed to acquaint herself and her bicycle with a hedge on the way home, fortunately always staying in tact!
Reaching across the political divide, Janet latterly became very close to Labour Town Cllr Mota Singh who she introduced as her boyfriend, much to his amusement. While banished from the room when Green conversations got too political, Mota was much loved by Green colleagues and friends until he sadly passed.
Janet has left a remarkable legacy – a thriving Green political movement, a more inclusive and loving Leamington Spa, she has changed many lives and critically, empowered others to continue her work with pride.
