Alan Walter, chair of Defend Council Housing, died suddenly from a suspected heart attack on Saturday 7 March. Alan, who was 51, was a central figure in the DCH campaign which he helped to start in 1997. Paying tribute to Alan, Austin Mitchell, Labour MP for Great Grimsby said: ‘Alan was an organiser of genius. His great achievement was to turn a tenants’ campaign into a national political force and push the issue of council housing into the mainstream political arena.’ The DCH campaign has had major successes in recent months, with government promising support for a new generation of council homes. Alan leaves a partner Anne Drinkell and his son Joe. To send messages of support and condolence to the campaign and to his family email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). A memorial service for Alan will be held on Monday 16 March.