Ted Claridge moved to Thamesmead from the East End of London in 1977 where he had played an active part in civic life as a councillor, having served as Mayor of the boroughs of Shoreditch and Hackney.  He was elected to Greenwich Council in 1982, serving as a councillor for Thamesmead Moorings until 1994

John Austin (Local MP 1992-2010 and previously Leader & Mayor of Greenwich) who served on Greenwich Council with Ted says:

“Not only has the area lost one of its most respected citizens, it has lost one of its most dedicated community activists.  Ted was widely known as “Mr Thamesmead” for his tireless work and charitable fund-raising in his adopted home town of Thamesmead.  He was also known in Thamesmead as Father Christmas – every year he would put on his red robes – no need for a false beard – and would stand with his wife Pat in the town centre, come rain or snow shaking his bucket for local charities.  He played a key role in the creation of the Thamesmere Leisure Centre and was an active member of Trust Thamesmead on which he served as vice-chair and Chair. Shortly before his death, Ted was appointed Life President.  He was a keen supporter of the hospice movement and his widow, Pat, has asked that donations in his memory should be made to the Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice.  I hope that we can do justice to his memory and his contribution to our community by raising a significant sum to aid the wonderful work of the hospice.”

 

In a moving tribute at Ted’s funeral, Len Duvall OBE (former Leader of Greenwich Council and currently Greater London Assembly Member for Greenwich & Lewisham said:

“Ted was a great character who devoted a large part of his life to the public as a councillor and campaigner.  He was an advocate and champion for Thamesmead and its residents and proved a formidable political force in the council.  He worked tirelessly to secure resources for his local area and, alongside his wife, personally raised thousands of pounds for charities – something he only stopped doing in his early 80s. He will be sorely missed, but will be remembered for his energy and commitment to the people of this borough.”