Obituary - Tim Evans (1949-2024)

 The London Socialist Historians Group were sad to learn of the passing of revolutionary, poet, and artist Tim Evans who contributed to the LSHG Newsletter around the centenary of Llanelli 1911 in a piece on "A dim spectre of revolution hung over Britain":  The Great Unrest in a Welsh Town - and was involved in helping commemorate this strike locally - see here for more: 

https://londonsocialisthistorians.blogspot.com/2010/07/tim-evans-on-llanelli-1911.html

https://londonsocialisthistorians.blogspot.com/2011/05/llanelli-1911-by-tim-evans.html

Below is an obituary from Swansea SWP remembering Tim Evans: 

https://socialistworker.co.uk/obituaries/tim-evans-1949-2024/

The last few years have produced many disappointing, worrying and indeed sickening developments, such as Israel’s genocide.

In the 1960s and 70s it’s doubtful whether Tim Evans, who died over the holidays, imagined that the first quarter of the 21st century would turn out this way.

Nevertheless, Tim never gave up his optimism and his drive to fight for a better world or his desire to convince others to do the same.

The last few months have been particularly difficult for Tim because there was nothing his immense drive and passion could do to stop the advance of a human disease.

Like many of his generation, Tim was inspired by the counter-culture of the 1960s. He had an abundance of talent, including the ability to draw from a very early age.

For him, music, literature, poems and art were not just for enjoyment, but were tools to change the world.

Tim travelled quickly through individual action to discover Marxism, particularly the tradition of socialism from below and the Russian Revolution.

He was convinced that the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) was trying to bring together revolutionaries in the same way and that Lenin and the Bolsheviks did. He was inspired by his friend and comrade John Molyneux. 

Tim, in later life, really pushed his artistic contribution to the struggle. Teaming up with his partner Rhoda Thomas, he helped to create the Live Poets Society, a radical poetry group in Swansea that gave a voice to the oppressed.

At the same time, he and Rhoda injected life into the campaign to remember the Llanelli rail workers battle of 1911.

He wrote articles for the International Socialism journal on Wales, and specifically on syndicalism.

As well as all this, Tim was committed to working with as many people as possible against racism and war and for solidarity for those fighting this rotten system. 

Tim spoke and recited at many events, protests, meeting and demos—he was known as the speaker who didn’t need a megaphone.

Eloquent and inspiring, he has touched the lives of many and will continue to do so for years to come. Our love and solidarity to Rhoda and his son Iestyn.

Tim’s funeral will take place on Monday 27 January, 1pm at Llanelli Crematorium Penprys Rd, Dafen, Llanelli SA14 8BX