I grew up in Poolsbrook in the 1940s and 50s, along with Eric. He was a bit older than me so we never really had much to do with each other, but in later years occasionally our paths crossed.

A few months before his death I spoke to him. There was a smile on his face and a faraway look in his eyes as he quoted the opening lines to Jack Blankley's poem about the football team: "There's a mining village called Poolsbrook, for bowlers it is famed, but now they have a football team, the Youth Club it is named." There are ex-Spike-Islanders looking at Eric's photo in Australia and Canada as well as the length and breadth of the country, as sales of Jack's book have soared over 600 copies.

Eric's loyalty to the village did him proud. It was a grand place to be growing up in at that time. People, who didn't know what they were missing, looked down on you if you were from Poolsbrook, so Eric's speaking up for the village was very much appreciated. Now it has gone full circle as people come on holiday to the caravans at our beautiful country park.

I returned to Poolsbrook to teach in the 1960s and 70s, working alonside a long-serving teacher there. She was known as Mrs Brooks in Eric's Day and it was her proud boast that she had taught him.

Many people can say they were at school with, worked with, played football with, or simply waited at the bus stop with Eric Varley. We are glad he touched our lives. Eric was proud of Poolsbrook, and, by gum, Poolsbrook's proud of Eric.

MRS JUNE A. WEBLEY,

The Bungalow,

Duckmanton Road,

Duckmanton, Chesterfield.

SIR — As the niece of Lord Eric Varley, I felt that on behalf of my brothers and my cousins I should write our own accolade to a special uncle.

Many wonderful tributes have been paid in the Press, which are richly deserved, but not many mention that he was a much loved husband, proud father and grandad. As a family man he was a very special person and we all loved him in our own way. He enjoyed family gatherings and we had some very happy times at his home.

Uncle Eric will be missed by many people — the ordinary voters who had a huge respect for him, political colleagues and fellow members in the House of Lords, but we as a family will especially remember him with much affection and we will never forget him.

MRS HEATHER M.

KEELING,

19 Mosborough Hall Drive,

Halfway.

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