Tributes Paid Councillor Who Helped Found Chiswick Women's Aid

Councillor James Duffy championed the cause of victims of domestic abuse

Tributes have been paid to Councillor James Duffy who died recently. He was highly supportive in the 1980s of the efforts of Erin Pizzey in her work with victims of domestic abuse, and was one of the founders of Chiswick Women’s Aid.

The charitable organization is now called Refuge, and was one of the charities selected by Councillor Sue Sampson as her mayor charities last year.

Founder of Women's Aid, Erin Pizzey recalled in her memoirs, how James Duffy helped her get council funding while he was a Labour councillor in Hounslow.

Councillor Duffy was a Ward Councillor in Hounslow for a prolonged period during the 1970s and 1980s, having served as Mayor in 1978/79. He additionally held the position of Chair of the Housing and Social Services Committees during his career.

In retirement, former Councillor Duffy relocated to Surrey but he maintained links to the borough of Hounslow by running the dancing club at the Hanworth Naval Club.

Hounslow Council has expressed its condolences to the family and friends of former Councillor James Duffy.

Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Lily Bath said: “During his time as an elected Ward Councillor in Hounslow, James Duffy was a hard-working, highly respected and very dedicated member of the council. He championed the needs of his constituents with passion and took a particular focus on helping victims of domestic abuse through being one of the founders of Chiswick Women’s Aid.

"On behalf of the whole Council I would like to express my appreciation for his public service, and my condolences to his family and friends.”

A minute’s silence will be observed at the forthcomming Borough Council Meeting as a mark of respect for both former Councillor Duffy and also the recently deceased former Councillor Peter Carey. The borough’s flag flew at half-mast on Tuesday 19 June.

June 21, 2018