Agnes Slocombe, a prominent Barbadian pioneer and the first Black mayor of the London Borough of Barnet, as well as an esteemed Councillor, passed away at the age of ninety on 12th July.
In recognition of her contributions to the community, Agnes was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours last June.
In a tribute, Barnet Council leader Barry Rawlings said… Agnes broke down barriers as the first Black mayor of Barnet and a role model for many people. That legacy will live on through community groups she founded as a pillar of the community for 40 years.”
Originally from Barbados, she relocated to Britain in her twenties as part of the Windrush generation during the 1950s and subsequently married. After obtaining her nursing qualification, she chose to pause her professional career to focus on raising her three children: Paulette, Yolander, and Anderson.
She served as a governor at Whitefield School in Cricklewood and was a founding member of the Barnet Multicultural Centre in West Hendon. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing both the Barnet African Caribbean Association and the Barnet Community Relations Group. Her extensive community activism provided the foundation for her transition into local politics, culminating in her election as a Labour Councillor for the West Hendon ward on 4 May 1982.
In 1997, she became the first Black female Mayor, and during her tenure, she initiated a successful fundraising campaign for the Alzheimer’s Society, which she selected as her mayoral charity. In July 2012, Full Council formally acknowledged her 30 years of dedicated service to local government and the residents of Barnet.
The 2018 election results brought a significant change to the political landscape, as the ward shifted to Conservative representation for the first time. Consequently, Agnes, who had been deeply committed to her role, lost her seat.
In response to her unexpected loss, Agnes demonstrated composure and professionalism, remarking, “Whatever will be, will be. I am not certain what occurred today. Nonetheless, in a democracy, it is essential to recognize that outcomes may vary.”
Agnes is recognised for her steadfast commitment throughout the regeneration of the West Hendon Estate, during which numerous long-term residents experienced displacement due to emerging luxury developments. She served as an advocate for these individuals, striving to secure improved housing and ensuring that the community’s members had input regarding its future direction.
She served as a eucharistic minister at St John’s Church in West Hendon and received a Maundy gift from Queen Elizabeth in 2021 for her work.
In a tribute, the Leader of Barnet Council’s opposition group, Cllr Peter Zinkin, said: “Agnes Slocombe MBE was a deeply committed public servant who dedicated many years to the people of Barnet. “
Agnes Slocombe’s life demonstrated an unwavering dedication to justice, diversity, and dignity, significantly impacting numerous lives over multiple generations. Community members describe her as both a committed advocate and an accessible, considerate individual—someone who valued personal connections, listened attentively, and promoted cohesion during challenging periods. Her legacy is evident throughout Barnet, in the cultural centres she supported, in the individuals she encouraged, and in the atmosphere of optimism she cultivated for those most in need.
The Mayor of Barnet, Danny Rich, paid his tribute to Agnes Slocombe, saying: “Agnes was an inspiration to anyone who met her, a servant of the community, whether that meant her neighbours, church or the council.”
