The sad news that Tony died, after a period of poor health, in Norwich on 15 October 2022 was reported by Brian Cockram, who said that he would be sadly missed by members of the Ramblers Society and the local and county swimming associations.
Tony was born on 21 January 1941 and joined HMSO on 18 August 1958, moving through several roles within HMSO and in 1994 worked as PB15 in HMSO Print.
We have been told that funeral arrangements for Tony have been made for 11 am on Monday 7 November 2022, at Bluebell Burial Ground, Hainford. Full details can be seen here.
The Norwich Evening News obituary can be seen here.
Brian Cockram adds: I first met Tony 50 years ago when we worked together on a project to update HMSO’s non-industrial promotion procedures. We visited the Cabinet Office, The Treasury and other major departments in London noting their methods etc. Needless to say Tony took an energetic approach, leaving no stone unturned.
From what Tony has told me, over the years, he has had many interests. He has always had a love of music. In his early years whilst living in Croydon Tony was the support team to a local band; driving the members to venues around the Country. A posting to Edinburgh followed by dispersal to Norwich brought that active role to an end but he never lost his love of the musical theatre.
In Norwich Tony and his wife Diana help run a Cub Scout group for St Peter Mancroft, where his 12-seater blue Bedford Dormobile van proved an excellent vehicle for group events.
Like many Dads, Tony encouraged their two daughters’ interest in competitive swimming. Countless early mornings on the poolside at the Norwich Penguin Club evolved into taking on progressively more demanding roles in the Amateur Swimming Association. He became a swimming Judge, then Referee and ultimately the Technical Director for the three-day county swimming championships at the Sportspark. He also organised local training courses for swimming judges and timekeepers.
By chance, we move into a house opposite Tony’s family home. Our children went to the same school. Over the years we became good friends. With our wives we shared a common interest, walking Norfolk footpaths. By the mid-1990’s we started tackling Norfolk’s long-distance trails. We began with the Pedders Way taking four consecutive days to cover the 40 miles. Over the next thirty-odd years we walked other Norfolk trails e.g. Weavers Way, Norfolk Coastal Path, Angles Way and the Marriotts Way.
From Norfolk, we move on to walking other UK trails including the Ridgeway, Kennet and Avon, Hadrian’s Wall, Suffolk Coastal Path, and the Birmingham to Worcester Canal. Tony would do all preliminary planning, checking the route, determining the daily distance, places for refreshments etc. He was not discouraged by heavy rain, cold or wind. I remember a 10-mile canal walk during which our sodden feet became surprisingly warm despite the cold weather. No risk of blisters! During another day-long walk on Corsica, we climbed above the snowline and had our lunch surrounded by deep snow.
After leaving the Stationery Office Tony volunteered to drive people with regular appointments from their home to Norfolk & Norwich Hospital. He did this for many years. As this voluntary service changed he continued to take several of these increasing elderly ladies out for their weekly shopping trip.
Tony became more involved with the Wensum group of the Norfolk Ramblers. He took on the vital task of ensuring that there was a weekly programme of walks. During the summer months, this meant finding leaders for a Monday evening, Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon walk. Until recently there was also the monthly coach trip to a more distant location: generally in East Anglia.
When Tony found the usual Thursday morning walk beyond him he still came along but did his own much shorter walk of less than 3 miles. He was quickly joined by other like-minded individuals. The shorter walk has become a fixture of the Wensum Group although the distance covered is often more than 3 miles. Sadly Tony found that he could not even manage the shorter walk. However, with others, who were similarly unable to walk but enjoyed a chat and a visit to a church etc, he formed a subgroup known as “Tony Toddlers”. All had been able and strong walkers but infirmity had taken its toll.
A final story which I think illustrates Tony’s ethos and commitment to the community. Many years ago whilst I was shopping in Magdalen Street, at the junction with Golden Dog Lane, a man rushed out of a shop on the corner clutching a stolen product from a display. Tony emerged from the shop, in hot pursuit, shouting “stop thief”. I was so surprised I completely failed to help Tony.
I, like many, will miss you.