Val Jones, who died on the 5th of January 2010, was in on the LARC project from the outset, adding much-needed administrative clout, and in particular securing the discretionary rate relief that has saved us many thousands of pounds over the years. Before the dawn of LARC, Val  was a crucial part of Reclaim the Streets (especially its banner- making crew), helping make the street parties sing out with a clear and beautiful celebratory message of the many joys of resistance.

Two years or so ago she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which robbed her gradually of her physical abilities but left her  mentally as sharp as ever. As you can imagine from a message like this, the news is that she died yesterday evening in hospital, possibly in part from pneumonia. It seems that she was finding the will to live harder to come by as things got increasingly tough for her, so it may well have been a relief for her.

Anyway, we would like to remember her soon at LARC - to surround ourselves with some of the banners she made or helped to make, to invite Rhythms of Resistance - the samba band she was so happy to be a part of - to come and play, to think of the amazing solidarity work she did for the struggle against Shell in Rossport, to eat and drink and celebrate her...so look out for that, and come along if you can.

Val was buried on the 21st January 2010 at St. Pancras Cemetery, High Road, E. Finchley. A remembrance party was held at LARC on the evening of the 13th of February...

.