Alan Howarth - A Recollection

I’m revisiting this old blog for a one-off posting to acknowledge the death of Alan Howarth (Lord Howarth of Newport) who was the most ardent and motivated politician who ever supported the arts and health agenda and particularly the relatively new Creative Health movement, of which he was the founding father. Alan passed away this week.

I remember one of the first times I met and spent time with him. He’d invited a few people to meet the then Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson at the Department of Health in 2007, I think. Alan briefed us all not to butt in and that he'd take the lead, and pass any questions for the minister to the relevant guest. Being a chippy northerner, and not wanting to miss out on the opportunity, and when Mr Johnson talked a little about dementia, I just couldn’t resist jumping on in! As I was speaking, I could feel Alan looking at me and my cheeks began to burn. When I looked round however, Alan was beaming at me - no stiff stare - and later he said how eloquent I’d been. I knew that I’d spoken out of turn, and probably over enthusiastically, but Alan, the consummate professional, was nothing but kind in the face of the youngish, upstart!

There are others in this field who knew Alan far better than I did, and who will have richer stories to tell, mine are fleeting anecdotes of eating in the canteen in the Commons, being taken down strange and beautiful corridors in Westminster and attending debates in the Lords. Of course, as the Creative Health movement began to grown, I realised what a pivotal role he had in making things happen and I took great pleasure in playing host to him a number of times in Manchester.

In December 2024 I attended a Live Well event in Manchester, and looking out from that spot-lit lectern, I couldn't believe the genuine passion in the room - and the diversity! Although Alan wasn’t at this event, it was in many ways, the result of his constant drive and belief that made things like this possible. His thinking and the passion he brought to our community - and lasting influence couldn't have been achieved by anyone else. A significant shift has been made and continues to evolve.

In many ways, Alan and I could have not be more different, but through this difference a friendship emerged. Most of the times we met were formal in some sense - conferences, dinners, all events of some sort. Though during the on-off petering out of covid, and a period where we were both having difficult treatments for blood related cancers, I found myself in his neck of the woods with my partner. I sent him a message to say we were around for a couple of days, if he fancied a coffee. The cheeky northerner as opposed to the chippy one! Within minutes he’d messaged back inviting us to his family home in Norwich. We spent a lovely golden, autumn afternoon in his garden, both he and I tad apprehensive about catching any bugs.

He was utterly generous and unfailingly kind and for all the time I knew him, a gentle man.