Scottish CND stalwart Jim Taggart died on 14 June, aged 83, after a short period of ill health. A committed socialist and internationalist, he was a fervent campaigner against nuclear weapons, NATO and war. Jim was an active member of Labour CND over three decades and served as our rep on the Scottish CND Executive Committee for much of that time.
The Taggart family home in Dumbartonshire overlooked Gare Loch, at the heart of Faslane Naval Base where Trident submarines are housed. Unsurprisingly then, Jim was a supporter of the Faslane Peace Camp from its inception in 1982 and of Trident Ploughshares which began blockading in the late 1990s.
Brian Quail, Jim’s colleague described him as ‘a hands-on and hard-working officer of Scottish CND, a well-regarded member of CND’s National Council, an integral part of Helensburgh CND and immensely practical supporter of the Peace Camp’.
A gentle and peaceable man, Jim trained as a botanist in Glasgow University and lectured for a time on plant classification at Trinity College Dublin. After returning to Dunbartonshire, in the 1970s he developed a botanic garden which became internationally known.He will be missed by his many friends in Labour CND and across the peace, anti-war and labour movements.
Jim Taggart’s funeral service takes place Saturday 6 July, 10:30 at
Craigrownie Parish Church
Cove Burgh Hall, Shore Road,
Cove G84 0LY
followed by burial at Barbour Cemetery and refreshments in Gibson Hall, Garelochhead G84 0AT