Dennis Latham 11.08.1945 – 19.03.2021

We were all very sorry to hear about the passing of Dennis Latham from Walsall. Dennis had undertaken a lot of work with National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups for Gypsies and Travellers and before that with the Walsall Gypsy and Traveller forum. Dennis was paramount in improving health outcomes and worked with both the Red Cross and the NHS producing a Traveller handheld record card, from early times Dennis would fight the corner of all Travellers, whether that be for Romany Gypsy, Irish Traveller or Showmen, he knew them all and especially in and around Birmingham.

Dennis knew the history of the Black Patch and his endless stories would have everyone in stitches, he was a painter of great renown, from waggons and hand carts to grinding barrows, he was an artist of tremendous skill a skill that he would share, always willing to help others he made working in prisons one of his priorities encouraging budding artists, whether painters or poets to give people another chance.

People have sent their own memories in of Dennis the following from Tina Prichard (Who Dennis worked with in the prison service, Pertemps):

"Dennis was such an inspiration to me both professionally and personally and I will be forever grateful for all the help he gave while I was working with the GRT prison groups at Pertemps, he was an absolute character and a joy to work with." 

And from Chris Johnson for the Community Law Partnership:

"Dennis was an excellent campaigner. At an oral consultation session at the Government offices in Brum, Dennis and me versus Mr McGrath and the Meriden protestors. I think the civil servants were ducking for cover! Dennis did an excellent presentation from the heart."

Dennis was impassioned and worked totally from the heart, it was a pleasure to know and work with him on a number of levels, our condolences are with Pauline and the family, he will be missed by many, many people.

By Siobhan Spencer