My mother, Elaine Holland, who has died aged 91, was a teacher, political activist and campaigner for green issues throughout her life. She was ahead of her time in her thinking about nature and environmental problems.
Settling in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, she taught English at secondary schools and colleges, but in her understated style also fought for better local public transport and opposed the destruction of the local architectural and industrial heritage. The house she helped save and lived in for more than 50 years has a blue plaque to the scientist Sir Oliver Lodge. She travelled everywhere by bus, enjoyed cycling and stubbornly turned down car lifts from well-meaning neighbours.
