Fred Jarvis was with the National Union of Teachers for 34 years, rising to general secretary in 1975-89. “I went straight from the NUS to the NUT,” says the man who was once a familiar face in Downing Street. Since his retirement he has devoted more time to photography and has had several exhibitions. This month he will be attending the conferences of the TUC and the Labour Party to take pictures. On Sunday, to celebrate his birthday, he is going to the Bobby Moore Suite at West Ham’s football ground. “They have some of my pictures in their exhibition Homage to the Hammers and I’ve been a supporter for more than 70 years.” After some health problems he is hoping to get back soon to his photographic project about the two Covent Gardens, contrasting the shopping centre and the New Covent Garden market. A lifelong Labour supporter he is glad the timing for Tony Blair stepping down has emerged. “We cannot go on like this. Iraq is a major factor and the tragedy is that bad things are now overshadowing the significant achievements.” Fred Jarvis is 82 today. RGT
Jeannette Altwegg, ice figure skater, 76; Dr Peter Broughton, offshore civil engineer, 62; Anne Diamond, broadcaster, 52; Michael Frayn, playwright and novelist, 73; Anthony Frodsham, director-general of the Engineering Employers’ Federation, 1975-82, 87; Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, composer and conductor, 72; Geoff Miller, England cricketer, 1976-84, 54; Vice-Admiral Sir Roy Newman, Flag Officer Plymouth, and Commander Central Sub Area Eastern Atlantic, 1992-96, 70; Professor E. H. Sondheimer, mathematician, 83; Colonel Sir James Stirling of Garden, chartered surveyor and Lord-Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, 1983-2005, 76; Lord Warner, Minister of State for NHS Reform, Department of Health, 66.