It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that Councillor Annie Gallop, our Labour councillor for Myatts Field ward passed away on Sunday.
Annie lived on the Cowley Estate in Myatts with her son Toby and has been a lifelong community and Labour activist. Annie loved life, she loved people and wildlife and was absolutely dedicated to Toby of whom she was so immensely proud.
Annie was first elected as a councillor in 2014. Prior to that Annie was always involved in her community, making a difference in small and big ways. She was a fierce campaigner, making the highest number of contacts through phonebanking in Lambeth and setting up tables on estates across the borough to speak to residents about their priorities, alongside helping to put up garden stakes, delivering literature and setting up committee rooms.
Crucially, Annie fought to make politics accessible to everyone and led by example to remove barriers to opportunity.
She could always be seen either tending to community gardens, feeding the birds or supporting neighbours and residents going through challenges in their lives, whether that be navigating a complicated welfare system, supporting newly arrived asylum seekers to access services or standing up for residents in asserting their right for a decent, safe home for them and their family.
She was passionate about watching things grow, especially communities and people.
Annie grew up in Reading and loved live music and football. From a young age she was involved in music and TV production. She toured with The Specials and loved Irish music, being really proud of and celebrating her Irish heritage.
Annie was fiercely loyal to friends and causes alike. She was a passionate Man United Fan, through thick and thin, and shared this love with her son Toby.
As tributes come pouring in, it is clear that Annie was much loved by all who had the privilege to know her and work alongside her. She was cherished well beyond her beloved Labour family. She was incredibly kind-hearted, a generous and good person with a wicked sense of humour and has been described by friends as a “special woman, full of courage.”
She faced cancer and years of invasive treatment and consequential disability stoically and with courage, and drew on the experience to challenge others on their understanding of the barriers that prevent disabled people from having the same opportunities as others. But she also challenged herself, pushed herself harder, her love of life propelling her to be at the heart of whatever was going on.
Annie was incredibly proud when she was elected Mayor of Lambeth. Her Mayoral charity was Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, where she could be found volunteering every Sunday morning. Ebony is a youth club which gives amazing experiences for inner city young people to grow confidence and skills, and increases diversity in the equine world.
Annie was hugely excited and proud when Khadijah Mellah, who learned to ride at the club, became the first hijab-wearing jockey to compete in a British horse race and went on to win the Magnolia Cup. Growing up in Berkshire, Annie frequently spoke about her experience riding horses as a young person and the positive impact it had on her.
Family, friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of Annie, but we are also sharing wonderful memories of her laughter, her kindness and her passion for life. Her passing is a devastating loss to us all and is felt deeply by her friends and colleagues.
Our thoughts are with Toby and the family at this time.