Lawyer and social worker
Born: July 23, 1954;
Died: March 30 , 2018
CHARLIE Milne, who has died suddenly at the age of 63 while cycling in Spain, was a much respected solicitor in Fife, where he was also a stalwart of the community. He was a member of the children's panel, active in the housing association movement and was involved in the local music scene, youth clubs and politics.
Mr Milne was a native of Dundee where he attended Kirkton High school and graduated from the University of Dundee with a degree in law. He was employed as a social worker by Dundee council before embarking on a legal apprenticeship in Inverness with Macleod and MacCallum.
His early involvement as a social worker was an indicator of his caring nature and throughout his legal career and extensive service to the community his concern for ordinary people shone through.
On completion of his traineeship, he returned to Dundee and took up a position with Doran and McGinley, a firm closely linked to the labour movement. He later became a partner in McGinley, Milne and McDonagh before moving to Fife where he joined the prominent Fife legal firm of Baird & Co as a partner. He was to serve with the firm for 17 years until his retiral in 2007.
His professional integrity throughout was matched by his thoroughness, enthusiasm and good humour.
Charlie also served as a children's panel member, a social security tribunals chairperson and a council member of the Scottish Law Agents Society. He was appointed to the Parole Board of Scotland in September 2007.
Baird & Co had acted for Kingdom Housing Association from its inception and, when he retired from the firm, he became an active board member, and ultimately chairperson, of the association which had grown from small beginnings to become a landlord of 3,000 houses and a leading developer of social housing in East Central Scotland.
He was passionate about the provision of affordable housing and recognised the wider health, well-being and education benefits to be gained from people having their own high-quality home.
Freya Lees, who succeeded Mr Milne as chairperson of Kingdom, said he had been central to the success of the association. “Charlie made an enormous contribution to the governance of the association over many years," said Ms Lees, "and we all benefitted from his commitment, knowledge and counsel..”
Kingdom chief executive Bill Banks added, “Charlie was passionate about many issues and was very supportive of affordable housing, tackling homelessness and providing support and care. He was very well respected by all of Kingdom’s board members, management and staff and will be greatly missed."
Mr Milne was also active in his local community in a number of other ways, serving as chair of Cupar Community Council and also establishing a local not-for-profit Blues and Beyond Club, a voluntary organisation that promoted and supported local live music. He was a supporter of Cupar YMCA and YWCA and chaired the organisation’s youth café which he helped to set up.
Norma Graham, general secretary at Cupar YMCA YWCA, paid tribute to Mr Milne. “Charlie was so keen to see our local teenagers growing, developing, and simply having fun and enjoyment at the youth cafe facility and beyond," she said.
"Whether it was music workshops, organising gigs, outdoor learning, informal drop-ins or travelling on international visits, Charlie fully supported this work with young people in broadening their life experiences and helping build their aspirations for the future. We are so saddened by his passing, but the youth cafe is a real legacy and a testament to his continuous drive for positive opportunities and new experiences for young people in Cupar.”
Mr Milne was an active member of North East Fife Labour Party for many years and stood as parliamentary candidate for the Scottish parliament in 1997 and for the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
A keen golfer, he was also an enthusiastic cyclist and it was while on a cycling holiday that he succumbed to a heart attack.
Mr Milne is survived by his wife Irene, sons Christopher and Gareth and grandchildren Iona and Rory.
GRAHAM OGILVY
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