17
the community we serve. None served that community more faithfully and energeti- cally than Eric. Enter- ing Community Ser- vice Committee imme- diately on his induc- tion into Rotary, Eric remained a member, apart from only occa- sional digressions, un- til his final illness con- fined him to his home.
E
and gave generously not only of his time, energy and expertise, but also allowed his farm facilities to be used for the safe keep- ing of Club equipment such as the Christmas Collection float, the Sponsored Ride and Sponsored Walk tent and other gear. He used his knowledge of other farmers in the area to pave the way for our spon- sored ride, and his expertise was invaluable when we bor- rowed donkeys to delight the children during our Christ- mas Collections. Eric‟s year as President
ric worked tire- lessly for Com- munity Service,
GOODBYE TOERICKNIGHT
large quantities of soil for Eric‟s French beans. The conversa- tion ended in laughter all round, but who could have forecast that the idea would surface thirty years later in a television ad- vertisement for sweet- corn!
L Flanked by the daringly designed Lotus
which was his pride and joy, Eric prepares to set up the administration tent for yet another Club Sponsored Walk.
was memorable, especially for those of us who served on his Club Council. The hospitality of Sullens Farm was no less than one would have expected from an an- cient farmhouse. Business was transacted speedily and efficaciously, before the deli- cacies, the port and the stil- ton appeared to everyone‟s delight, not least that of dear old Ron Dobson, a connois- seur of these traditional Eng- lish specialism's. Ron of course needed several extra helpings before he could reach a decision on their ex- cellency or otherwise. It was a delight to
watch how, week by week, Eric developed fluency in his skills of chairmanship, confi-
dence in his own abilities, and authority in leading the Club. He decreed that our chief project for the year would be a repeat of the sponsored walk introduced by Dick Coulton, “Operation Footslog”, in which we marched round and round the Corbets Tey recreation ground for 36 hours non- stop. In those days we also took part in the President‟s Night roundabout, in which Presidents from all around attended each others‟ eve- nings accompanied by their wives. Eric took to this like a duck to water.
I
and Peggy would arrive grandly at the evening‟s en- tertainment. When Eric led the hosting of our friends from Tourcoing, he was treated to a hard sell from one Einar Thrap-Ohlsson, who offered to ship over
n those days he was driv- ing a very natty open- topped MG, in which he
which rest the Club‟s very early archives. Eric Knight was a won-
rigan‟s office. For some years Eric hosted International Commit- tee‟s bonfire night par- ties at Sullens Farm, and accommodated several huge chests in
tivities. For some years he was Editor of the Bull following Reg Smith, and many years later worked tre- mendously hard in those marathon dupli- cating and stapling sessions in Mike Hor-
et us remember some of Eric‟s other Rotary ac-
derful, genuine, sincere, helpful man with a delight- ful sense of humour. A great family man, he was hugely backed and supported by his wife Peggy, and was a fine father to his two sons and three daughters. A good raconteur, his stories were often directed against him- self. But life was never the same for Eric after Peggy‟s death, and his subsequent slow decline was very sad, though greatly helped by visits of faithful Rotary friends.
that throng of colourful char- acters who over the years have enlivened our gather- ings and have now gone from us. Of course, they have been replaced and will continue to be. But Fellow- Rotarians—enjoy your Ro- tary: it is a rare gift because of them!
And so Eric now joins 17
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