Tribute to unsung hero who has left his mark on New Lanark heritage

Nov 6 2008 by George Topp, Lanark & Carluke

MOST people in South Lanarkshire are unaware of the influence on their lives of Fred Edwards, who died at his home near Penicuik recently.

The excellent obituaries in the daily press fail to cover fully his huge influence in heritage and in many other important fields of human activity.

They really would have needed to devote half an issue to do justice to one of the finest men I have ever known.

He was a trustee of New Lanark for sixteen years until earlier this year and also bettered the life conditions of many folks in this part of the world.

Most of them will never have heard of him, but Fred was a true hero of Scotland.

Countless people are so much better for having known Fred.

And many more benefited from his outstanding career, both before and after his so-called retiral.

During his many years running Europe’s largest social work department, at Strathclyde Regional Council, thousands of people’s lives in the Scottish community were improved.

Personally, I wish I had known Fred for much longer than I did, as each time we came across each other I learned more.

His skills in putting a case, his immense charm and kind wit, were unique.

I will treasure the smile, the cultured Scouse accent (not an oxymoron) and the intelligent thought behind everything.

As chairman of New Lanark Trust, I found his considerable support for the cause of rebuilding the World Heritage Site was of great benefit.

The long-term period Fred Edwards served as a trustee was invaluable and he guided us sagely through some difficult and exciting times.

Fred Edwards may have been, as the papers, said: “a powerful bureaucrat”, but he was a genuine unsung hero. As chairman of Capability Scotland and on SEPA, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, he was working to help the disadvantaged, and to protect outstanding landscape.

He may not have been a celebrity in this age, which gives huge publicity to shallow success, however, the influence for good of Fred Edwards will live long after the photos of more famous have vanished.