As a long term friend of Barrie Stead and Millie Bowerman my overwhelming memory of them is of their generosity and commitment to those less fortunate than themselves.

Barrie, a strong supporter of West London Welcome and an active volunteer, passed away in March 2024 shortly after Millie died in January 2024.  His political career including a period as leader of the Hammersmith and Fulham Council, where he ensured that the Lyric Theatre, Riverside Studios and Fulham Palace became a vital part of the borough. 

Millie was a passionate contributor to the Arts - as an international concert pianist, music teacher and Arts lead for the Gulbenkian Foundation. Barrie and Millie met through the Greater London Arts Association and were together for more than 60 years.

 On his retirement, Barrie sought to continue his work on behalf of the community. He became especially concerned with the plight of refugees and asylum seekers and volunteered weekly at West London Welcome and bought joy and kindness to members and volunteers.

I hope we can all join together to honour their memory by contributing to West London Welcome to ensure a better and more secure support network for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

Caroline Needham