05-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Tributes to Lord David Lipsey, whose 'heart was in Powys'
LORD David Lispey will be remembered as being a gifted Labour Party politician, a Member of the House of Lords and a friend of 10 Downing Street.
But in Powys his legacy will also have him down as an animal lover. The 77-year-old adored harness racing and greyhound racing and had a passion for getting dogs rehomed rather than put down at the end of their careers.
A journalist who wrote for publications including the Sunday Times, Sunday Correspondent, The Times, The Guardian and The Economist, he also championed the arts and was a staunch defender of the River Wye, near his Powys home, in which he died this week.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lord David Lipsey—a former colleague, good friend and a truly remarkable man.
He was widely respected, greatly admired and will be sorely missed.
My sincere condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time.
— Eluned Morgan (@PrifWeinidog) July 3, 2025
James Gibson-Watt, a member of Powys County Council's (PCC) cabinet and former leader, who represents the Glasbury ward, said: 'Lord David Lipsey was very well-respected in the local area, across Wales and the UK and of course at Westminster.
'He was always very courteous and kind to everyone, always very interesting to talk to and a very good supporter of local events and causes."
Lord Lipsey was a long-time campaigner for water quality in the River Wye and his last spoken contribution in the House of Lords was on the subject.
In October 2024, in a speech delivered during the second reading of the Water Special Measures Bill aimed at improving water quality in the UK, he told the Lords: 'Something like 80 per cent of the pollution in the Wye is caused by chicken s**t.'
Lord Lipsey had lived in the Wye Valley with his wife Margaret for the last 30 years and would swim in the river at Glasbury 'most mornings in summer, some mornings in winter'.
Straight-talking Lord Lipsey identifies main culprit for pollution in River Wye @UKHouseofLords
— Nick Lester (@nickolester) October 9, 2024
'We still do this, but it is a deteriorating experience,' he said. 'Part of the river near us was closed this summer to wild swimmers such as us, on the grounds of pollution.
'It is not the Wye that we moved next to 30 years ago. This beautiful river is being turned into a sewage dump.'
He chaired the British Greyhound Racing Board, now the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), from 2004-08.
GBGB CEO Mark Bird said: 'He was a fantastic champion for greyhound racing and did a great deal to raise welfare standards across the sport – particularly around the homing of retired greyhounds.
'As a resilient friend to the greyhound racing community, he will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.'
William Powell, chair of PCC and county councillor for nearby Talgarth, knew Lord Lipsey well and said: 'I am devastated to hear this news.
'David was a great advocate for Talgarth and the Black Mountains, for Gwernyfed High School, Black Mountains College and Glasbury Arts, alongside many other good causes.
'Just this past weekend, he presented the awards at the Grow for Talgarth 'Big Gardening Weekend' and he and Lady Margaret always supported Talgarth Festival of the Black Mountains and Talgarth and District Regeneration Group, with their presence.
'David and Margaret made their home here over many decades and are much loved. We will not see David's like again.'
Lucy Trench, chair of the Sidney Nolan Trust in Presteigne, said Lord Lipsey served as chair between 2013-18, was a former trustee and was still listed as the arts charity's president upon his death.
Straight-talking Lord Lipsey identifies main culprit for pollution in River Wye @UKHouseofLords
— Nick Lester (@nickolester) October 9, 2024
'The trust is the legacy of the celebrated Australian artist Sir Sidney Nolan and David had a deep love of music and other arts,' she said.
'He was decisive and insightful, brusque but never arrogant, full of affection and wit; someone who bypassed formalities to get straight to the nub of a matter.
'All who met him, from small children to his many acquaintances in the racing world, were struck by his warm and unconventional personality.
'As a peer he naturally spent much time in London, but his heart was in the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons, where he worked equally hard to support local activities, including the Glasbury Arts Festival.
'At the Sidney Nolan Trust, as in the many other areas of his wide and varied life, David will be greatly missed as a colleague and friend.'
