On 27th August the ILP’s oldest member, Jennie Cuthbert, celebrates her 90th birthday.
Jennie joined the ILP in 1942. She was taken to an ILP Summer School in Bangor by her aunt, Anne Hambley. Anne had been a member for many years and the visit to Bangor was a reward for Jennie gaining a first class honours degree in music from Cardiff University. Jennie realised that the principles and values of the ILP were right for her and so she joined then.
Jennie met Bill for the first time at an ILP Summer School in Durham one year later but it was not until 1944 that they began to form the attachment that lasted until Bill’s death in 2000. They were married in 1947.
Following their move to Cardiff in 1950 they played an active part in the local branch and, while Bill was also active in the printing union, Jennie developed her career as a music teacher.
Socialist ideals were always at the heart of their lives and in later years both became active in the Labour Party in Cardiff North. Bill died in 2000. Until very recently, Jennie helped out in election campaigning.
Although Jennie now lives in a residential home, she continues to take an active interest in politics. She was particularly proud when her oldest son (Jeff) was elected to the National Assembly for Wales in 2003 as the Labour Member for Caerphilly.
We all join in wishing Jennie a very, very happy birthday.
