Mourners bid farewell to Brighton housing activist

The funeral of housing activist John Melson took place this morning (Wednesday 11 February).

Mr Melson was a tenant representative and for many years and a former chairman of the High Rise Action Group.

He was also a member of the Brighton and Hove City Council Housing Management Consultative Sub-Committee.

The council recently abolished the sub-committee in favour of other means of consulting tenants.

Among the mourners for 76-year-old Mr Melson, who was found dead in his flat last month, were councillors and former councillors from different political parties.

Mr Melson lived at Wiltshire House, in Lavender Street, Brighton. His funeral took place at Woodvale Crematorium.

At the last meeting of the council’s Housing Committee the chairman Councillor Bill Randall said: “We all worked with John a great deal. I didn’t always get on with him but he was very committed to the tenant movement and the welfare of his neighbours.”