Small in stature, big in personality. I didn’t much like her politics, but I admired the woman, who had an almost impossible job thanks to Harold Wilson’s attempts to please everyone. Thanks for reminding me about a politician worth remembering.
Another SSAC member of whom I was fond was Robin Wendt. As well as being seriously brilliant, he was quiet, approachable and kind. I remember having breakfast with him at our Belfast hotel in 1983, his hair wet from the shower. I also remember the occasion when my difficult civil service boss cancelled a monthly SSAC meeting at short notice. Somehow, (thanks to my eccentric, possibly demented assistant) the message of the cancellation did not get through to Robin and he turned up at New Court eager to get down to business. My boss was furious that he should have been inconvenienced but Robin was not. He cheerfully said that he could relax and look around the London shops for a Christmas gift for his daughter.
When I knew him, Robin was CEO of Cheshire County Council, a post he had held since he was a mere boy of 38.He had been at the council since 1975. Previously he had been a star civil servant, reaching the grade of assistant secretary (Grade 5) at the DHSS (Department of Health and Social Security). He graduated in PPE from Wadham College (the alma mater of my headmaster, JA Stocks, who encouraged me to apply, but I was too feckless).
In 1962, Robin joined the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, which later became the DHSS. He became PPS (principal private secretary) to the Labour social services secretary Richard Crossman. Barbara Castle was Secretary of State for Social Services from 1974 to 1976. Castle introduced a wide range of innovative welfare reforms, and Robin Wendt was her right-hand man, working on the legislation.
My father (a member of the Labour Party) was a huge fan of Barbara Castle. I remember her as a feisty and hard-working Minister and a real personality. I had no idea about this secret past. Thank you for such an interesting and informative post. Loved thinking about her again after all these years.
This is a fascinating story, very well told. Castle was a prominent public figure as I grew up in England. She was also the non-driver who enacted the Beeching cuts, axing a lot of the country's railway network, as Transport minister.
This is a great tale of Barbara Castle’s secret affair! Thanks Sarah!
I chatted to a man at a party once who had been Barbara Castle’s driver. He said she swore like a trooper. I wish I could remember more details now. I was too distracted because he also instructed angels onto my body and told me that now I would never get cancer. (So that’s good news)
Unlike you, I was brought up to admire Barbara Castle, but never knew any of this! Last summer the wonderful Mikron touring theatre put on a terrific show about Jennie Lee, another amazing woman. If they ever repeat it, it’s well worth going to see.
Thank you, I'll look out for that. I did keep worrying while I was writing this if it had been the big secret I thought it was for so long...it's a relief to hear you hadn't heard.
I have to admit that mid-century British politics is something I know very little about, and that I had never heard of Barabara Castle before this morning. But I love the stories you tell, and the humanity you bring to your subjects!
Enjoyed this so much. I recommend Kenneth O. Morgan's biography of Michael Foot in which Castle features. Thanks Sarah. This was wonderfully informative. Always seen her as a real trail blazer 💛
oh how i lover scandals! they’re chum in the psychic waters and amount to nothing but emotional distraction. she sounds like an amazing forward moving woman. sides be damned!!
Small in stature, big in personality. I didn’t much like her politics, but I admired the woman, who had an almost impossible job thanks to Harold Wilson’s attempts to please everyone. Thanks for reminding me about a politician worth remembering.
Another SSAC member of whom I was fond was Robin Wendt. As well as being seriously brilliant, he was quiet, approachable and kind. I remember having breakfast with him at our Belfast hotel in 1983, his hair wet from the shower. I also remember the occasion when my difficult civil service boss cancelled a monthly SSAC meeting at short notice. Somehow, (thanks to my eccentric, possibly demented assistant) the message of the cancellation did not get through to Robin and he turned up at New Court eager to get down to business. My boss was furious that he should have been inconvenienced but Robin was not. He cheerfully said that he could relax and look around the London shops for a Christmas gift for his daughter.
When I knew him, Robin was CEO of Cheshire County Council, a post he had held since he was a mere boy of 38.He had been at the council since 1975. Previously he had been a star civil servant, reaching the grade of assistant secretary (Grade 5) at the DHSS (Department of Health and Social Security). He graduated in PPE from Wadham College (the alma mater of my headmaster, JA Stocks, who encouraged me to apply, but I was too feckless).
In 1962, Robin joined the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, which later became the DHSS. He became PPS (principal private secretary) to the Labour social services secretary Richard Crossman. Barbara Castle was Secretary of State for Social Services from 1974 to 1976. Castle introduced a wide range of innovative welfare reforms, and Robin Wendt was her right-hand man, working on the legislation.
Robin died in 2021 at the age of 80.
My father (a member of the Labour Party) was a huge fan of Barbara Castle. I remember her as a feisty and hard-working Minister and a real personality. I had no idea about this secret past. Thank you for such an interesting and informative post. Loved thinking about her again after all these years.
This is a fascinating story, very well told. Castle was a prominent public figure as I grew up in England. She was also the non-driver who enacted the Beeching cuts, axing a lot of the country's railway network, as Transport minister.
I have just posted my Barbara Castle ramblings.
A Barbara Castle link has just occurred to me reading my latest post.
This is a great tale of Barbara Castle’s secret affair! Thanks Sarah!
I chatted to a man at a party once who had been Barbara Castle’s driver. He said she swore like a trooper. I wish I could remember more details now. I was too distracted because he also instructed angels onto my body and told me that now I would never get cancer. (So that’s good news)
I have a personal anecdote connected to Barbara Castle and Hyde. Watch my notes.
Very interesting. I'd never heard of Barbara Castle before this article. Thank you for sharing.
Fascinating, thank you!
Unlike you, I was brought up to admire Barbara Castle, but never knew any of this! Last summer the wonderful Mikron touring theatre put on a terrific show about Jennie Lee, another amazing woman. If they ever repeat it, it’s well worth going to see.
Thank you, I'll look out for that. I did keep worrying while I was writing this if it had been the big secret I thought it was for so long...it's a relief to hear you hadn't heard.
I have to admit that mid-century British politics is something I know very little about, and that I had never heard of Barabara Castle before this morning. But I love the stories you tell, and the humanity you bring to your subjects!
Enjoyed this so much. I recommend Kenneth O. Morgan's biography of Michael Foot in which Castle features. Thanks Sarah. This was wonderfully informative. Always seen her as a real trail blazer 💛
She really was a remarkable woman.
oh how i lover scandals! they’re chum in the psychic waters and amount to nothing but emotional distraction. she sounds like an amazing forward moving woman. sides be damned!!