David Tirmizey T
and to be greeted by them was an experi- ence not quickly for- gotten. They were readily able to rise on to their back legs, rest their paws on one’s shoulders, and treat one to a very affectionate and very thorough licking. Of course, it was flattering to be treated with such obvious warmth, but more than a little disconcerting too. Brian Taffs was convinced that he could see tins of Kennomeat revolv- ing in their eyes as they gazed into his. There was, however, always rich compensation at the end of the meeting in the shape of handsome refreshments for participants. These refreshments always included Jean’s pièce de résistance: bread pudding. This was not any ordinary bread pudding, but exceptionally rich, spicy and dense, the sort of bread pudding which it took a real man to eat, and eat it we did.
hese were really very large creatures,
W
the rest of his time of office with serene confidence. Even the snooker competition was brought up to date and played off on time in the sumptuous games room on David’s splendid estate.
S
David in studious pose as he shares the administration of the annual Sponsored Walk with Peter Spall and Don Gregson
participant in the Club’s major annual fundraiser: the Sponsored Horse Ride, predecessor of the present- day Sponsored Walk, and a magnificent sight he was mounted on one of his splen- did beasts. Indeed, when David came into the Presidency in 1986 he was almost immediately plunged into a crisis concerning the horse ride. Because of the drought that summer, the farmers who
ith such a home base to depend on, David became a regular
owned the land over which much of the ride was routed withdrew their permission, on the grounds that they could not risk further damage to their fields already ravaged by drought. This was devastating news for the Club, and a body blow to David. Prudent opinion in the Club urged that the horse ride should be dropped for the year, David was desperate not to lose it. By dint of massive effort on the part of David and Community Service Committee an alternative route was evolved, permissions obtained, insurance agreed, and the horse ride went ahead. Our departed friend was utterly exhausted but totally triumphant.
W David could only go through
ith such a defiant start to his Presidential Year,
an end all too quickly. Jean’s deteriorating health meant that she could no longer live the robust life of the country chatelaine, and the family moved to a lovely but more modest home in the late nineties, and Jean tragically died in the summer of 2001. After Jean’s
adly, this well-nigh idyllic existence came to
years a keen supporter of the Tourcoing contact, he now looked farther afield and became a regular visitor to Rotary Clubs in Bangkok. However, his own health was clearly in a state of decline, and he found it increasingly difficult to enjoy his Rotary activities. Despite this, he remained a loyal member of our Club, continuing to act as one of the Sponsored Walk administrators for as long as he was able. He very much appreciated his appoint- ment to a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2005, and clearly treasured his lapel badge. He was, however, forced to give up his Masonic activities, much to his deep regret. We shall all miss David very much. Even as his health declined he was a lively companion and a good friend. His pass- ing is a sad loss to our Club and to Rotary in general.
Story & photos supplied by Rtn John Fowler 34
death, David revived his interest in interna- tional activity. For
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