Page 2 - HGS Suburb News 144 - December 2020

Peter White 1935 - 2020 Professor Deepak Lal 1940 - 2020

After reading maths at Jesus rofessor Deepak Lal combined
College, Oxford, Pete got a job Pthe skills of an economist, a
at an IT company in what were widely read historian and a DEEPIKA SUTTON
the early days of computing. keen observer of contemporary
During his first few weeks of politics. Educated in India and
training he found himself in living intermittently in India
SARAH SMALLBONE
the back row of the class with throughout his adult life, Deepak
Andrew, who would later become experienced the trauma of
his brother-in-law when he partition and the subsequent
married my mother Jan in 1962. political challenges.
They began married life in In 1960 Deepak studied PPE
Asmuns Hill and as their family at Oxford, returning to India to
grew, they moved to Hampstead pursue a career in the Indian
Way where they stayed for over Foreign Service. After a brief spell
50 years. in Tokyo, Deepak resumed his
Pete was very involved with affiliation with Oxford as a
the local branch of the Liberal research associate and lecturer
Democrats. He also helped run at Christ Church and Nuffield
the bar at the annual Proms at Colleges. In 1970 he took up a
St Jude’s and spent many hours post at UCL where he later
helping Jan raise money for the became Professor of Economics.
North London Hospice. Pete was In 1973 Deepak took a year’s
also Honorary Treasurer for 13 leave from UCL to work as a
years at The Orchard Housing consultant to The Indian Planning
Society in the Suburb. Commission in New Delhi. He
Pete’s priorities were always took up this post as an
his family and his dogs and he enthusiastic advocate of planning
loved spending time chatting in the optimistic belief that
and laughing with his children government intervention in
and grandchildren. He was economic affairs might bring
devoted to Jan and cared for her prosperity to India. He soon for World Power’ (2018) reflect share space with robins and
so lovingly when she became ill. realised most economic decisions his diversity of background, foxes and the odd visiting cat,
Pete had a great sense of have more to do with securing geographical settings and or when walking on the Heath.
humour and was very sociable – political advantage for a privileged interests and all benefit from He admired the architecture
his daily walks around the few than ensuring greater his unique intellectual curiosity and compared it favourably to
y father Pete was born in Pete had a great time at
M Liverpool in 1935. His school. He even featured in the Suburb could take hours as he material well-being for the and imagination. The unifying Lutyens’ New Delhi. Latterly
thread linking Deepak’s prolific
citizens of India.
Deepak used his walker to stroll
earliest memory was seeing the local press which declared him stopped and chatted with all Despite returning to academic output and many achievements around Central Square, stopping
second RMS Mauretania being a hero due to his discovery of a his acquaintances! Pete was life, Deepak remained committed was his arguing the case for to sit on a bench to assess the
always positive, fun, kind and
built in 1938 and then watching fire started by the PE master
her maiden voyage past Ainsdale having a sneaky cigarette! gentle and his passing leaves a to carrying out research relating classical liberalism as the most state of the new raised gardens
or the condition of a church roof.
development,
certain foundation for economic
to
economic
beach. At the end of the 1940s the In 1954 Pete started his very large gap. particularly the alleviation of growth and democratic political Deepak always enjoyed HGS
family moved to Barry in South National Service which he ZIZ CHATER
Wales, leaving Pete boarding at didn’t much enjoy but, typically, poverty in India and other institutions that sustain civil events, most especially our annual
street party, The Proms and New
King William’s College in the he always looked on the The full obituary is held in the HGS developing countries. The society and individual liberty. Year’s Eve fireworks. And of course,
monthly column he wrote for
Deepak described himself as
Isle of Man where the family positive side and remembered Heritage Virtual Museum, visit: The Business Standard, an ‘a gypsy’. However, as well as his Deepak was grateful that HGS is
had moved during the war. the funny moments. hgsra.uk/vm/peterwhite.
influential newspaper published strong affiliation to New Delhi, a ‘real neighbourhood’, where
in India, was instrumental in he was securely anchored to we knew, depended upon and
Abbeyfield House: a home from home making his views known and 1973. Deepak valued its beauty, living next door or on an
enjoyed the company of people
HGS where we have lived since
securing a following.
Deepak’s many publications whether peering out of his adjacent street, many of whom
in Holmsfield, a cul-de-sac off from ‘Wells and Welfare’ (1972) study window at our wonderful are life-long friends.
Erskine Hill, in a quiet and to ‘War or Peace, the Struggle garden where trees and flowers BARBARA BALLIS LAL
peaceful section of the Suburb’s
Artisan Quarter.
Formerly a children’s home, Henrietta’s Orchard
this charming Edwardian red-brick
property joined the Abbeyfield (continued from page 1)
group in 1977. It comprises eleven
bedrooms, all with en-suite benefit organisations, we plan become largely self-sustaining Do get in touch and help
facilities and kitchenettes. The to run skill building workshops, in subsequent years. make this a HGS community
house contains a comfortable including effective orchard tree All kinds of help will be achievement – interest in the
communal sitting-room and care and pruning and to create appreciated, from advice and orchard will be welcome at any
dining room. In the summer fun and healthy activities for creative input helping to establish time but we want to have the
months, residents will find a residents and local school groups. the community orchard, hands- orchard group established before
haven of peace and quiet in the Following planting, the on volunteering with planting, the end of 2020 so, if you want
beautiful, shady garden. young fruit trees will need extra tree and wildflower meadow to get involved, please email
I cannot speak too highly of attention during the first few maintenance and harvesting, to now: fruitorchard@hgsra.uk or
Abbeyfield’s caring staff, under years, including watering and organising or simply enjoying call 020 8458 2402.
the watchful eye of Lin, the weeding but then should the orchard-related events. MARIA SCHLATTER
Managing Housekeeper, who has
uring the refurbishment of draughts. I was indeed lucky to be
Dmy house in the autumn of offered temporary accommodation devoted herself to its residents
for over 30 years. Whenever I
2019 I had little choice but to in Abbeyfield House, a sheltered asked for items in my room,
make myself scarce in order to residential home for the elderly. such as an extra chair, or a light,
escape the clutter, dust and Abbeyfield is conveniently located
these were quickly and willingly
brought to me and nothing was
ever too much trouble.
WE’VE GOT other residents, they all told me
In conversations with the
YOU COVERED. how well they were treated and
they expressed their appreciation
for the staff’s thoughtfulness
and kindness.
We have insured clients and their Abbeyfield guests look after
families in Hampstead Garden Suburb themselves for breakfast in their
for 35 years... rooms and meet for lunch and WHETHER YOU’RE SELLING OR BUYING
supper in the dining room. Lunch
is the main meal of the day and WE ARE HERE FOR ALL YOUR
the home-cooked meals are
Personal quote: varied and appetising. I always PROPERTY NEEDS.
020 8353 8957 enjoyed them, in particular, the
tasty puddings. LOCAL | LONDON | WORLDWIDE
Commercial quote: Although I was pleased to
020 8353 8940 return to my house after five weeks
away, I recall the intervening
time as being a period of home Fine & Country Hampstead Garden Suburb
Visit our new website: www.brownhillgroup.co.uk from home. What better could t 0208 731 1710
one possibly ask? e hgs@fineandcountry.com
For further information on
Abbeyfield House call 8455 2607
YEARS or go to www.abbeyfield.com. Hampstead Garden Suburb
DAVID LITTAUR
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