Jim Hart joined the Wavertree Society in 1998, shortly after moving into Olive Mount Heights. A Londoner by birth, but brought up in Suffolk after the blitz, Jim had a background as youth worker, housing adviser, and writer of statistical reports for the Church of England and other organisations, and it wasn't long before he was persuaded to join our Committee.

It was Jim who inspired our 're-think' in the year 2001, which amongst other things decided on the reduced, flat-rate membership fee which is still in force to this day. Jim was the Society's Hon.Treasurer from 1999 until 2009, presenting his final Annual Report as recently as last October. Apart from his accounting skills, the Society also had the benefit of Jim's keen eye as a photographer. His series of talks entitled 'A Portrait of Wavertree' in 2001-2 were very well attended and received. The pictures taken on his motorcycling holidays brought us further entertainment and enlightenment, including a thought-provoking talk on the Irish situation which he gave to the Society in 2003.

Jim was a fan of high rise living - how many other Council tenants, he would ask us, are fortunate enough to have views of the Welsh mountains, the Lake District fells, and the Pennines from their home - and when the Olive Mount blocks were threatened with demolition he mounted a campaign to save them. Unfortunately his dossier of support from residents and technical experts ultimately proved insufficient to persuade the 'powers that be' to change tack, but Jim's arguments are preserved on our website for all to read.

Jim's commitment to the Society was further strengthened in 2004 when he took over as Chairman. Sadly, the onset of Parkinson's Disease severely restricted Jim's ability to live a normal life, and he felt obliged to stand down as Chairman in 2008. Jim died on 20th November 2009, and several members of the Society's Committee attended the funeral at Anfield Crematorium. A further Memorial Event to celebrate his multi-faceted life will be held at the church of St Michael in the City, Upper Pitt Street, Liverpool L1 5DB, on Saturday 16th January, starting at 3 pm.