A PIONEERING tenants activist has been remembered with a memorial garden was unveiled in his honour.

Kirklees Federation of Tenants & Residents Associations and the Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing have established the garden to remember the former chairman of both organisations, Cliff Whiteley, who died last year.

Cliff, pictured right, was a nationally recognised figure in the tenants’ movement.

As well as leading Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing since it was set up in 2002, he was also chairman of KFTRA.

The special garden was unveiled at Cottage Homes in Waterloo, where Cliff chaired the local tenant and residents association for over 20 years.

Philip Hardstone, head of tenant participation for KNH and close friend of Cliff, said: “Cliff could be arguing with a Government Minister for tenants’ rights one day and calling the bingo for the old folk living at Cottage Homes the next. Everyone liked him wherever he went.”

Cora Carter, current chairman of KNH and KFTRA and also a close friend of

Cliff, said: “We all still miss Cliff very much.

“He made a huge positive difference to peoples' lives in Kirklees and this is an excellent way to recognise the work he did."

Cliff was a passionate advocate for tenants not only in Kirklees, but throughout the country.

His tireless work even helped Kirklees be recognised as a role model for tenant participation across the UK.

The garden has been designed by people who knew Cliff, with added help from the Kirklees Design & Property Service and Kirklees arts agency, LOCA.

The garden has been designed by local people who knew Cliff, with help from the Kirklees Design & Property Service and Kirklees arts agency, LOCA.