Tributes to Michael Foot, supporter of Hucknall

Mr Foot was guest speaker in a debate on 'Byron, Europe And Liberty' at the former International Clothing Centre on Annesley Road at the second International Byron Festival in July 1999.

A leading Byron scholar, Mr Foot wrote a highly-praised book about the poet entitled 'The Politics Of Paradise'.

He paid regular visits to Hucknall, where Byron is buried, and to the poet's ancestral home, Newstead Abbey.

During the debate, Mr Foot, who was a loyal supporter of Newstead Abbey Byron Society (NABS), said Hucknall played a special part in protecting Byron's image when the poet was "most scandalously attacked" in different quarters, especially London.

He went on: "No-one disputed Byron's greatness as a poet but, because of his reputation, the powers-that-be did not consider the idea of a memorial to him.

"At the time of his death, it took a lot of courage to say he would be given a proper resting-place in Hucknall Parish Church."

Also in 1999, Mr Foot strongly supported NABS in its successful fight to stop mining underneath Newstead Abbey.

He thought that, after Shakespeare, Byron was probably the greatest literary talent the country has ever seen.

Society chairman Ken Purslow said: "Michael was a tower of strength to us until recent years, when he has not been well enough to attend our activities."

Mr Foot, who stood down as Labour leader after his party's landslide defeat to Margaret Thatcher in 1983, was admired across all parties.

Hucknall Labour MP Paddy Tipping, who knew Mr Foot, said: "It was a pleasure to work with him. Even in his later years, he came out campaigning with me."

A memorial tribute to Mr Foot in Hucknall has been suggested and this may take place during the annual Byron pilgrimage on the weekend of Friday to Sunday April 16 to 18.