AS PALLBEARERS ascended the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral carrying the coffin of one of the most controversial political figures in recent history, a few loyal supporters of the Iron Lady came to Richmond Conservative Club to pay their respects.

The club, in Newbiggin, Richmond, opened its doors yesterday morning (Wednesday, April 17) to around a dozen members – some of whom sat around the large television screen in the main lounge and bar area, with a pint or a cup of coffee, while others trickled off to the quieter side of the room as Baroness Thatcher’s funeral began.

Club president, and former Mayor of Richmond, Oliver Blease said he would be watching most of the proceedings with family at home.

Standing in the front room of the club house, where a large portrait of a young-looking Mrs Thatcher hangs, he said he felt proud to be playing a small part in marking the day.

“I do feel that it is something special – I love the pomp and pageantry of it all and think we do it very well,” he said.

“I was very impressed with the reading by her grand-daughter Amanda, she had clearly learnt the speech by heart and it was very moving.

“I’m glad Lady Thatcher has had a good send off without too much trouble.”

Chairman of the Conservative Club Bill Laws, a former Major in the Green Howards, admitted she was a controversial leader, and he did not always agree with her policies.

He said: “I think initially she was an excellent leader, but she did a lot that was wrong.

“But she was a strong-willed woman in a man’s world, which is what she had to be.”

Back in the bar, many club members had gathered away from the television, having a drink with friends and apparently indifferent to the funeral of the three-time elected and longest serving British Prime Minister of the 20th Century.

Eddie Roberts said he came to the club every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and today was no different.

He said: “I’m not here for the funeral, just to have a drink and a chat with friends as usual.”

One of the dedicated viewers of the funeral from start to finish was ex-Royal Signals Sergeant Mick Kilvington, 67, who served in the Falklands after the war.

He said: “She was a wonderful woman. I have two daughters and five grand-daughters and I think she is a fantastic role model for them.

“I do have a lot of sympathy for the miners, but what I don’t like is how Maggie was blamed for it all when really it was Arthur Scargill who caused most of the damage with the miners’ strikes.

“I admit she was controversial at times, but she was often right in what she did.”

Mr Kilvington added: “It is a great send-off that she very much deserved. I love to watch all the ceremony attached to it because it reminds me of events I was involve in, like getting the Freedom of Richmond.

“I left the Army 27 years ago but I still like to see it done well. This is something I will never forget.”

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