Dick Stanley - Past National Conference Officer - 2010 - 2012
DICK STANLEY
1946-2019
It was with deep sadness that we heard that our friend and fellow Malvern Hills 41 Club member Dick, died on Thursday November 7th, and we send our sincere condolences to his wife Mo and his family.
The last two years had been difficult for Dick in his battle against Alzheimer’s but we will remember him for his contribution to the fun and fellowship in our club over the last 7 years.
I am particularly pleased that he managed to attend our AGM in April and he much enjoyed our visit to Madresfield Court on June 26th which many of you will remember.
Dick was the epitome of a true Round Tabler, always able to “Adopt, Adapt and Improve”, and always willing to accept a challenge and take on responsibility. He was a “doer”.
He was born in Worcestershire and attended Worcester Royal Grammar School. His subsequent career with the Nationwide Building Society took him all over the country and it was whilst he was in Christchurch that he found his love for Round Table. He was a member of Christchurch R.T. 1980-1986. He moved seamlessly into Christchurch 41 Club, becoming Chairman in 2000/01. His interest in “National” was kindled when he was Registration Officer for the 2005 National Conference in Bournemouth.
On retirement from the Nationwide, Dick and Mo moved to Herefordshire where he soon became a member of Hereford 41 Club and was Chairman in 2007-08. Having been a successful Registration Officer in Bournemouth he was soon invited to be National Councillor for our Region 21, which he successfully managed for three years 2007-2010.
Not content with just a Region job, he undertook the task of Registration Officer for 41 International Conference 2009 in Cheltenham when John Bellwood was 41 International President.
In 2010 he was voted onto the 41 Club National Executive as Conference Officer and served for 2 years organising several conferences and National Council meetings, before the post was withdrawn and combined with the Sales Officer into the Fellowship Officer post in 2012. This effectively made Dick the last National Conference Officer. Having deciding to “hang up his boots” he retired to Malvern and finished his 41 Club days with our club.
In addition to being a regular attender at our meetings and partaking in many walks with the walking group, Dick’s greatest contribution, and his legacy to our club, was his introduction of the monthly bulletin which continues very successfully today. Thank you, Dick, for everything you did for us.
Dick, we will miss your contribution to the good fellowship which we enjoy in our club, particularly your sense of humour and your good nature. When one considers your active participation in 41 Club over many years, I feel sure there will be a job awaiting you above.
May you rest in Peace.
EULOGY FOR DICK STANLEY 1946-2019 as given at Dick's Funeral
Dick joined Christchurch 41 Club in 1987, coincidentally the same year Barbara and I moved into Bournemouth and I joined 41 Club.
It was not long before Dick and I became acquainted.We met regularly at the Region Dinners, known as Dorset Knobs, the Annual Regional Quiz, and meetings between the Dorset Clubs.
Dick was elected Chairman of Christchurch 41 Club for 2000-2001.
At the Millennium we both became interested in attending the Annual Association Conferences. Dick and Mo started at Dublin.
I started at Eastbourne 2001 where I was elected the National Councillor for the Dorset Region 23.
In 2002, I was invited to Chair the “41 Club National Conference 2005” in Bournemouth.
Planning for our 3 Day National Conferences usually takes 3 years, needing a dedicated team to fulfil several roles and I was delighted when Dick volunteered to be the Registration Officer. A vital role, controlling bookings for the huge number of delegates who were to attend.
Dick did a fantastic job: his enthusiastic personality and cheerful disposition ensured his popularity with everyone which,… in turn, …culminated in a successful event.
Dick became a huge fan of our Annual National Conferences.He and Mo, went to 15 full Conferences, plus 2 Saturday morning AGMs.
Barbara and I joined them at about the same number and we, together with other club members, always enjoyed the Fancy Dress Final Night Parties.
Each year, Dick and Mo were always to the forefront, with their inventive notions for costumes……………..
As 41 Club members will know, each Conference has its own theme….. Edinburgh 2004 was James Bond and we dressed as the Zombie Baron Samedi, the Witch Doctor in “You Only live Twice”.
Others themes followed - Jersey 2012 was Allo! Allo! The boys were Rene the café owner and our ladies were Yvette.
Harrogate 2015 was the “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” we chose to be Playing Card Soldiers from “Alice in Wonderland”.
Perhaps, the most memorable time at a Conference, with Dick and Mo, was when we four shared a riverside apartment in Newcastle, ...spending a few days touring the area following Mo’s superbly organised itinerary. We visited Holy Island, Lindisfarne, Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, Hadrian’s Wall and Chester’s Fort. All were unforgettable experience
Immediately following the Bournemouth Conference in 2005, Dick and Mo moved to remote Hereford, where Dick joined Hereford 41 Club, becoming their Chairman in 2007.
Dick was obviously good material for “higher office” and I encouraged him to become the National Councillor for Region 21.
Dick was elected at The Newcastle Conference and joined the National Council representing Midwest, Severn and Avon.
In November 2007, Dick, invited by National President Keith Howard, marched in the Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph. An immensely proud day for Dick.
During the three years he was appointed,… Dick volunteered to become the Registration Officer for the International AGM 2009 to be held in his region in Gloucester.This was a rare occasion for our Association. Dick joined the team, headed by International President John Bellwood.
The weekend was a huge success and Dick was crucial in looking after the 41 Club visitors from all over the world.
The Final Dinner with guests from Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe, some in National Costume, was a brilliant example of International Fellowship.
Dick did not finish there he had one more step to make………
In 2010 he was promoted to the National Board of our Association when he was elected the Conference Officer at the Scarborough Conference. He subsequently served for two more years as he coordinated Conferences in Ipswich and finally Jersey.
When Dick retired from office in 2012, he became the ultimate National Conference Officer, in every sense of the word.
About this time Dick and Mo left Hereford and moved home to Malvern when Dick joined Malvern Hills 41 Club.
His service to the 41 Club Association has been truly exemplary.
A member of three 41 Clubs becoming Chairman of two.
A member of the team organising a National Conference and the team organising an International AGM.
The representative of a Region on the National Council.
A member of the Association Board.
Dick was the kindest of men - energetic, enthusiastic, well organised. He developed a fine reputation with the hundreds of members he encountered and made a significant difference to everybody’s enjoyment of events.
Personally, Dick was my great friend and support, especially when I became the Association President.We shared many memorable times together at Conference and at home.
Finally, let me address Mo…….Mo, of course, has made a huge and vital contribution towards all the above, not least within the last few years of Dick’s life, when his declining health presented many challenges.
Mo has constantly fought to ensure he has had the very best of treatment and welfare possible,… despite encountering many obstacles “en route”. … by his side throughout - his constant loving companion.Our thanks to you, Mo, for taking such very great care of Dick, our 41 Club friend.
Richard Matthews
National President 2009/1028thNovember 2019
