OBITUARY David McEwan Hill, the SNP member who fought for a better world

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https://www.thenational.scot/politics/23649278.david-mcewan-hill-snp-member-fought-better-world/
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OBITUARY
David McEwan Hill, the SNP member who fought for a better world
12th July 2023
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DAVID (Dave) William McEwan Hill was born at home in Mosspark, Glasgow on August 23, 1942, to Margaret and George Hill.

In the years which followed, he became big brother to Tony, Gerry, Desmond and Judith and later, uncle to their children, and grandfather to Layla-Roxanne Hill.

He was an SNP stalwart and served more than 60 unbroken years as a proponent of independence and of the national movement.

Dave had many strings to his bow – poetry, art, education and political acumen. He attended Holyrood Secondary School, followed by the Glasgow School of Art (GSA), graduating in 1964 and going on to teacher training at Jordanhill.

After completing this, he took a teaching post in Hamilton, where he taught for eight years.

Dave met Avril, who became his wife, in 1963.

Marrying soon after, they had two children, David Junior and Deirdre. They embarked on an adventure to Nigeria, which had a profound impact and influence on Dave's life.

In his last days, he often recalled his time there.

Dave taught at the Women's Teacher Training College in Kano, becoming the principal there and later, chief inspector of education in Kano State. He was also chair of the Northern States Turf Authority, running four racecourses and set up the popular Flying Club, where they spent many nights with the friends they made there.

It would not be a stretch to say Dave's activism for Scottish independence defined much of his life. He joined the Scottish National Party as he was making his way to register as a young man at the GSA, and remained a member until his death.

In those early days the party was a different beast, operating on the margins of political and social life. It was down to people such as Dave that the SNP developed important roots, organisational routine and campaigning elan.

He was initially in the Craigton Branch, before moving on to help form the Govan Branch.

He set up the "1820 SNP" Branch and organised "The Lanarkshire Seven", where all seven Lanarkshire constituency branches met every Saturday afternoon, to leaflet and campaign at different Lanarkshire town centres. Dave was always concerned with maximising the collective talents of those he worked alongside.

He had spent periods of his childhood in Argyll and Bute, and the area was a rich resource for his paintings. When he returned from Nigeria to set up in Dunoon, Dave again committed himself to building support for the SNP and independence as well as taking a keen interest in local issues, such as the successful Save the Burgh Hall campaign.

He founded the SNP Holy Loch Branch and helped to initiate Yes Cowal.

He could be seen during elections, and the referendum, arranging placards, leafleting sessions, public events and driving up and down Dunoon high street in a saltire-emblazoned van.

A prolific letter writer he was a fixture in the local paper, continuously arguing for Scotland's independence.

To secure a legacy for the inspirational Yes movement, Dave played a central role in establishing the Forward Shop.

As he wrote about in The National, of which he was a daily reader, this became a hub not only of independence activism, across all parties and none, but a community asset where people could meet for a coffee and a biscuit to chew the fat. An organising space, a social centre, a mini-library and a fundraising effort.

It even had a mini radio studio, set up by Dave, which broadcast Argyll Independent Radio, from which he played his beloved rock and roll music every Friday.

In the words of his SNP comrades: "Dave was a passionate warrior for independence and was active right up to the last branch meeting, still offering his wisdom, which came from a lifetime of campaigning and organising.

"He had been a part of all elections and the 2014 referendum doing the foot slogging and enthusing the other campaigners both in times of rising and falling fortunes for our cause."

He will be missed for his political campaigning and experience; his connection to nature and people across the world, and his belief in wanting the very best for his community and country.

Dave always knew politicians had a shelf life, but that the independence movement was in the firmament of Scottish society and insoluble from it.

It was in the capacity of ordinary people coming together to fight for a better world that he placed his hope. And that is how he lived his life.

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https://www.thenational.scot/politics/23649278.david-mcewan-hill-snp-member-fought-better-world/

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Condolences to his family.
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[gogannaka]

We will surely miss Dave and his insightful posts.
Adieu.

[bakangizo]

We will surely miss Dave and his insightful posts.
Adieu.

Thank you goga for bringing this news to our attention. I really have been wondering where he is before you dropped the news.