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Fenella Fielding in 1965
Fenella Fielding in 1965. ‘She sat on the back of a lorry in Hyde Park and read, in that inimitable voice, the United Nations declaration of human rights,’ recalls Susanna Hoe. Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty Images
Fenella Fielding in 1965. ‘She sat on the back of a lorry in Hyde Park and read, in that inimitable voice, the United Nations declaration of human rights,’ recalls Susanna Hoe. Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty Images

Fenella Fielding, a voice for human rights

This article is more than 5 years old
Susanna Hoe remembers the actor in a very different role than her usual screen persona

Fenella Fielding was more than a wonderful actor (A velvet-voiced star of stage who was trapped in a camp cul-de-sac, 13 September; Obituary, 13 September). On 10 December 1978 she sat on the back of a lorry in Hyde Park, London, and read, in that inimitable voice, the United Nations declaration of human rights to the assembled crowd of Amnesty International supporters.

It was pouring with rain. Despite that, Jane Ewart-Biggs (later baroness), widow of the recently assassinated British diplomat, was raised on a hoist to light a candle in barbed wire, followed by Tom Robinson and his band, also perched on the back of the lorry, singing Sing If You’re Glad to Be Gay. A memorable occasion.
Susanna Hoe
Oxford

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