Donald Smyth - Aberystwyth 41 Club
Donald Smyth, who died aged 83 from cancer in March, must arguably be eligible for a posthumous entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the most active (and loyal) Table/41 club member in Aberystwyth, Wales, UK and beyond. Whilst working hard made him a successful business man, in playing hard Donald had no equal. Joining Aberystwyth Round Table in 1964 he brought Donkey Derby to Aber and contributed tirelessly to Table and 41 club for 52 years, including international Table events in Belgium, India, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. A keen fisherman who won an international medal in the Welsh fly fishing team, rugby player (and debenture holder), a competent horseman and member of the Gogerddan pack, squash player and a regular skier. His overriding joy was sailing, a volunteer in the RNLI and founder member of Aberystwyth Yacht club, he progressed from dinghies to a 29 foot yacht regularly crossing to Ireland and Holland. Not content with that Donald held a pilot’s licence for 30 years flying in Canada and many European journeys and unbelievably still found time to be a first class golfer. If you think that’s all, Donald could “down” a pint of bitter standing on his head! Donald was a most liked and true gentleman down to his fingertips (excluding the one cut off by a chain saw), a loving husband to Jane and a truly wonderful step father to her four daughters.
