MEMORIES are being shared in West Devon and East Cornwall of the former Labour leader Michael Foot, who spent many happy times in Callington — and never lost his passion for Plymouth Argyle.

Michael Foot died last week, aged 96, and will be remembered as one of the great parliamentarians of the 21st Century, but also as a kind, generous and genuine man, respected by all, regardless of political stance.

It is said the Foot family belonged to Callington more than anywhere else with Pencrebar the family home for 33 years.

Born in Plymouth, one of the seven children of Liberal Party politician Isaac Foot and his wife, Eva, Michael Foot began his political career in 1945 when he won the Plymouth Devonport seat for Labour for the first time.

He was a teenager when the family moved to Pencrebar and although much of his time was spent away studying and later carving out a career in politics, the house was the base for family activity until Isaac's death in 1960.

Michael's niece Sarah Foot, who lives in East Cornwall, recalled: 'Uncle Michael was as devoted to Cornwall as he was to Plymouth. When I took him to see his father's grave in Callington he said it was a wonderful place to be buried because from there you could see Kit Hill and Bodmin Moor.

'When Michael and his brothers were at university, working hard to get degrees, they all had their study rooms up in the attic at Pencrebar. It was a magical place and we were always made to feel so welcome there.

'Michael never had any children so we (nieces and nephews) were all his children. He loved being at Pencrebar with the family and he was always fun to have around.'

Pencrebar also became known as the centre of Liberalism, a place which attracted many eminent politicians. It also housed some 52,000 books in one of the largest private libraries in the country.

Callington town councillor Jeremy Gist remembers: 'As a child I used to go there with my granddad who did some upholstery at Pencrebar and it was like a great adventure for a kid — there were books everywhere.

'The Foot family connection with Callington is very strong and one of the main cricket competitions for the area — the Isaac Foot trophy — is still played here in Callington.'

Calstock parish councillor Dorothy Kirk met Michael Foot when she was prospective European parliamentary candidate for Cornwall and Plymouth, back in 1989 at Honicknowle Labour Club.

'He was wearing his Argyle scarf and talking about Argyle,' she said. 'He talked about politics as well, but with less enthusiasm!

'He was a very genuine man, they did not come more genuine than him. Everything he said he believed in and there were no airs and graces with him. He never lost his connection with Plymouth Labour Party or Plymouth Argyle. He was a lovely guy.'

Ted Sherrell, a West Devon Borough and Tavistock town councillor, shared the former Labour leader's passionate support for Plymouth Argyle.

Ted said: 'Once, on BBC radio's Any Questions, the question was 'Who would you like looking down upon you first thing in the morning?

'One man said he wouldn't mind Marilyn Monroe, while a female panellist said Cary Grant. Mr Foot, though, said Sammy Black.

'Who's Sammy Black?' queried a puzzled BBC presenter.

'The greatest left winger to have played for Plymouth Argyle!' retorted Mr Foot.

For a 90th birthday present the club registered Michael as an honorary player and give him a shirt number 90. This made him the oldest registered professional player to date in the history of football.

Former South East Cornwall Conservative MP Sir Robert Hicks said he followed Michael Foot's career with interest since 1955 but it was not until 1970 that he met him in the flesh.

'He was an outstanding parliamentarian. He believed that nothing that went on at Westminster should detract from the floor of the House of Commons.

'He had a fantastic command of the English language, both in his speech and in his writing and he was a very kind man who was always himself.

'It's a sad loss, he was one of the great parliamentarians of the 21st century.'