Obituaries H
Hazel Allen
azel Allen, passed away on 4 April 2021, at the age of 81. She qualified as a Librarian around 1960 and worked in a number of public, academic, vol- untary and private libraries throughout her career. She initially worked as a Library Assistant at Hereford County Library – the City of her birth – forming relationships she would maintain her entire life. She subse- quently worked around the country – moving with the work of her husband, Leslie Joseph Allen (also a Librarian; 1938- 2015), who she met at Library School in Manchester. After a short period at Lancaster, Hazel volunteered for the “books on wheels” home-visiting charity in Loughborough whilst taking a career break to raise a family. She later worked for Cardiff School of Art and Design at Howard Gardens (then part of the South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education), where she received many artworks from grateful students.
Stephen Best S
tephen Best, who died on 14 October 2020 at the age of 81, was born in Nottingham where he spent the rest of his life.
This attachment contributed emphatically to the distinction of a career which largely focussed around local studies. When he left Nottingham High School with GCE ‘O’ levels he was determined to enter librarianship and joined the then Nottingham City Libraries. He was among the last generation to qualify without the benefit of a full-time course and, joining the Library Association in 1957, chartered in 1962.
His potential was quickly recognised and he was appointed branch librarian first at Carlton Road, where he was also able to immerse himself happily in the extensive non-fiction reserve stock, and then at Sherwood, before becoming Central Lend- ing Librarian. At local government reorganisation in 1974, when the city and county library services merged, he found his ideal niche in the Local Studies Library. This was already a significant resource, but the more expansive approach of the new authority and even more so the Central Library’s relocation in 1977 ensured that Local Studies became a prominent component of the new service. He came to this latest phase having spent his life so far being observant and inquisitive about his native city and its surroundings. He had a flair for identifying with enquirers’ needs and interests as if they were his own, creating an eager demand for both his scholarship and research expertise. He also became a familiar broadcaster on BBC Radio Nottingham.
He was never happier than when teasing out obscure and revealing facts from the library’s resources, for readers and for his own decades-long contribution to local literature. In particular, articles in Nottingham Civic Society’s newsletter and the Sneinton Magazine, which related to a suburb he closely identified with, amounted to more than half a million words. His meticulous research, accessible prose and gentle humour impelled his readers to absorb information on the most out-of-the-way and improbable topics. His photo- graphic survey of Sneinton’s tiled porches was a model of its kind and typical of his idiosyncratic activities. He was deeply informed on other parts of the country too. Mention of a medieval church in Northumberland, say, an abandoned railway in Mid Wales or a long forgotten MP in Kent would release a succinct summary of the topic. Away from people and places he was a mine of information on subjects as diverse as Sherlock Holmes, the piano accordion, which he played, and cricket, especially cricket. Embracing all this was his love for words, particularly the names of people and places, and the delight he had in toying with them. He devised fiendish quizzes for his friends at Christmas and excelled at solving equally fiendish crosswords. This erudition was lightly worn and never competed with his lively concern for all he came in contact with: colleagues, friends, and most of all for Sue, his wife of forty years who was also on the library staff, sons Alex and Stewart and five grandchildren.
Malcolm Stacey
As part of her retirement plans, she returned to Hereford and worked for both Hereford College of Art and latterly to TA Matthews, Solicitors, retiring around 2005. Hazel was known for her friendly, approachable and help- ful nature and many students and staff would regularly seek her out as a source of support for their work and studies (at just four-feet 10-inches, she was easily identifiable amongst her colleagues).
Hazel enjoyed a long retirement with her husband, living and travelling around the Herefordshire countryside. She leaves two sons, three grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews who, whilst mourning her passing, will also celebrate the wonderful life and times of Hazel Allen.
David Allen, son
52 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
October-November 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
