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George Shultz, Yvonne Conolly, Maureen Colquhoun, Christopher Plummer (pictured)

Matthew Bannister on US politician George Shultz, headteacher Yvonne Conolly, MP Maureen Colquhoun and actor Christopher Plummer.

Matthew Bannister on

George Shultz, the US Secretary of State during the Reagan years who came close to brokering a deal to abolish all US and Soviet nuclear weapons.

Yvonne Conolly, Britain’s first black female head teacher who overcame racism to become a role model for others.

Maureen Colquhoun, the first UK member of parliament to be openly in a same sex relationship. When they heard the news, her local Labour Party deselected her.

Christopher Plummer, the Canadian born actor who played many roles on stage and screen, but will always be remembered as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Angela Errigo
Interviewed guest: Rose Gottemoeller
Interviewed guest: Philip Taubman
Interviewed guest: Denise Patrick
Interviewed guest: Dame Angela Eagle
Interviewed guest: Peter Tatchell

Archive clips from: Maureen Colquhoun on Countdown to Number 10, Radio 4 TX 3.5.1979; I Was Britain’s First Black Headteacher, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service TV, TX 8.3.2020; West Indian Teacher, Pathe News TX 1969; William Shatner’s memories of Christopher Plummer, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World News TX 5.2.2021

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27 minutes

Last on

Sun 14 Feb 2021 20:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Clip

George Shultz

Born 13 December 1920; died 7 February 2021, aged 100.

Last Word spoke to fellow American diplomat, Rose Gottemoeller and to his biographer, Philip Taubman.

Yvonne Conolly

Born June 1939; died 30th January 2021, aged 81.

Last Word spoke to her friend and fellow Black head teacher, Denise Patrick.

Maureen Colquhoun

Born 12 August 1928; died 2 February 2021, aged 92.

Last Word spoke to fellow politician, Dame Angela Eagle and to Peter Tatchell of Stonewall.

Christopher Plummer

Born 13 December 1929; died 5 February 2021, aged 91.

Last Word spoke to film writer and critic, Angela Errigo.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 12 Feb 2021 16:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 14 Feb 2021 20:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Podcast

  • Last Word

    Radio 4's weekly obituary programme