Val had two main passions in life: her family and campaigning for causes she cared about.
Never an armchair revolutionary, one of the biggest achievements of her life was to be a leader of the successful Save Heatherwood Hospital Campaign in Bracknell, where we gathered 25,000 names on our petition.
Not only did we save the hospital, but we now have a brand new hospital on the same site. A massive achievement, and Val played a leading role in the victory.
From a young age, Val was active in the labour movement. From membership of the Labour Party, to supporting Militant, and then as a member of the Socialist Party.
She was a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was an activist to her core, taking the kids on Aldermaston marches, to the massive anti-Iraq war demo, and many local lobbies and protests.
She was a member of the Labour Party national women’s committee, a school governor, Bracknell Town Council chair, as well as a trade union activist, and, in later life, a leading pensioners’ campaigner.
Val was always on the socialist left, and saw things in class terms. That is why she was attracted to Militant and the Socialist Party, in which she was still active until recently.
Val obtained an Open University degree in her later working life, and was proud to have passed her driving test in her 50s.
We are celebrating her life on the 24 July in Bracknell, where family, friends, and comrades will be able to join us in a tribute to her achievements.
Terry Pearce
Celebration of the life of Val Pearce
24 July, 12.30-7pm
Easthampstead Community Centre, Rectory Lane, Bracknell, RG12 7BH
If you would like, please wear something red
