In memory of Chris Wrigglesworth
It was in 2010, shortly after we arrived in Edinburgh that Chris contacted me out of the blue with enthusiastic feedback for one of our first major pieces of work as an organisation. It was an expose of the UK supermarkets’ role in unjust water use through the production of asparagus in Peru, which he’d read about in the Guardian. Incredibly, it turned out that Chris lived just over the Meadows, and pretty soon we were meeting up for a cup of tea and bacon sandwich. That first meeting was like all my others with Chris over the next ten years – I came away with a long list of new ideas, things to read and people to meet, but most of all, an uplifted sense of what was possible, and a deepened conviction that the work we are doing as an organisation is important.
When we eventually got some proper funding in 2012 we needed to beef-up our governance arrangements and I asked Chris if he’d become a Trustee. Since then, even through his ill-health he was one of the most regular contributors to our quarterly board meetings and annual strategy sessions. Throughout, Chris’s advice has been hugely valuable and has helped us move forward, from an organisation of one, to an influential 15-person team with a turnover over £1M. He was always able to draw on his knowledge and experience of working around the world, his extensive reading, and his understanding of the political landscape in Scotland and beyond to give wise counsel. Despite all his experience, his advice was given humbly and was consistently thoughtful, down-to-earth, and spot on. I remember him once chiding us for saying we were ‘empowering’ poor communities to get water rights – who were we to be going around ‘empowering’ people, when all they needed was a little bit of help and legal advice on water? Quite right Chris! He helped us to ‘keep it real’, but most of all, he had a genuine interest in our work. We all enjoyed the fascinating discussions when Chris would pop into the office for a cup of tea, including the new or junior team members whom Chris would make a point of getting to know.
Chris was a modest man and was concerned about the value he was bringing to the Board particularly once he became ill. But his contribution was huge: a steady channel of good ideas, moral support and trust that we were doing our best, year in year out, no matter the knockbacks.
More recently, Chris wanted to leave a more tangible legacy for the organisation. In 2019 he bequeathed both his extensive library of books on water, and a donation of five thousand pounds. With this funding the team have been able to realise a long-term plan to set up the ‘Water Warrior’ award to recognise those doing amazing work for water justice for vulnerable communities around the world. Chris attended the first award to Miraji Simba, a Tanzanian community volunteer in November 2019, and we look forward to announcing the second award in the next few weeks. In Chris’s words, the award is important because of the fundamental nature of water as a basic human need, and the risks to equitable access to water imposed by over-exploitation and inequitable access to power and money. His advice to Water Warriors: “Don’t be diverted from the task at hand. Be wise as serpents and as gentle as doves!” With Chris’s help, the award will be made twice a year for five years. I think it is fitting that Chris’s legacy mirrors what he has given us: a friendly hand of support and thumbs up to say ‘keep going, this work is vital’.
On behalf of the team and Trustees at Water Witness we express our sorrow for the loss of our friend Chris, and our deep condolences to Ann and Chris’s children. We are thankful for the times we shared with Chris and for all we learned from him, and pay our respects to a kind, brave and inspirational man who will continue to inspire us and many others to stand up, to give their best, and to take positive action to make our world a better place.
Nick Hepworth
From the team and Trustees…
“A truly engaging and inspirational person, and one of those special older people, who continue to remain a relevant and radical example to us all. He will be truly missed.
Please pass on my sincere condolences.”
Laurence Rankin
“Very sad news. I was always struck by his positivity and immense enthusiasm. He will be missed by many I'm sure.”
John Seager
“It’s sad news indeed... please send our deeply sympathetic condolences to his family .. he has lived his life with dignity and respect, and he is always going to be remembered for his immense contribution.. let him Rest In Peace.”
Eng. Herbert J Kashililah
“Our original 'Water Warrior' will be sadly missed but his inspirational spirit lives on in all of the new Water Warriors across the world following in his path.”
Dorcas Pratt
“This is so sad .. I connected with him through his many contributions which all the time showed his commitment and passion for water justice to under-served communities.
My sincere condolences to his loved ones.”
Suma Kaare
“I was lucky enough to have been in the office the last few times Chris stopped by to chat with us. I couldn't help but be drawn in by his stories about his past work in the water sector from all around the world and his perspectives on what changes the water sector needs to see. Please pass on my condolences to his family.”
Shona Jenkins
“He was a gentle, caring soul who brought the best out of people.”
John Brett
“O dear… this is so sad indeed. I hope that his loved ones will find the support they need to go through this difficult phase of life -made even less bearable given the COVID situation. Please do send them comforting thoughts and encouraging waves on our behalf; and do let them know how much he will be missed by everyone of us.”
Léna Salamé
“In my conversations with Chris, one thing I picked up was his passion for the cause, passion for what WWI does and stands for, his wealth of knowledge on the subject, humility and his dedication despite poor health. I learnt a lot from him in those brief conversations. Please pass on my condolences to his family.”
Dilraj Sokhi