Past Members
Other
Ian Clarke
Ian Clarke passed away peacefully in hospital on 5th July 2018.
Ian was a long standing member of Cheadle & Gatley Round Table and 41 Club.
He was a true gentleman with a superb sense of humour and it was always a pleasure to be in his company.
His funeral was held on Tuesday 24th July at All Saints Church, Cheadle Hulme
followed by a family service at
Stockport Crematorium and then a reception at Manchester Rugby Club
There was a huge turnout and especially from 41 Club including 4 members of Peterhead
who flew down specifically to pay their respects.
Warm words and fond memories were related with Neil Kellett representing 41 Club
and the proceedings were concluded with the "Is this the Way to 41 Club" anthem.
Ian will be sadly missed
Our condolences go to his wife Sue and his family.
Click for Stockport Express Article
Tom Hendry
Tom Hendry, past member of Cheadle & Gatley 41 Club and manager at the Village Hotel, passed away on Saturday 20th April.
Condolences to his wife, Pat and his family from everyone concerned.
His funeral was held at Scarborough Crematorium on Wednesday 8th May at 12 noon following by refreshments at the Weston Hotel afterwards.
Many thanks for those who were able to attend and represent 41 Club.
Reg Foulger
Reg Foulger, past member of Cheadle & Gatley and Chairman 1978-80 has sadly passed away.
He was from East London and a keen follower of West Ham United.
Reg came to Manchester in the early 1970's and set up a business specialising in Office Furniture and lived in Beathwaite Drive, Bramhall before
moving to Chester Road, Woodford. He was a real wheeler dealer (and it was always thought he would die falling off the back of a lorry).
He was at one time a director of Wilding Office Supplies Ltd, a public company set up by his brother in London
Following his divorce, he moved to Spain for a while
On his return to the UK, he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease which gradually worsened and he finished up in a care home in Macclesfield.
He finally moved to a care home in Congleton.
On behalf of everyone at the club who knew Reg - our condolences to his family from everyone concerned.
Chris Pearce
Many of you will remember Chris 'Horizontal' Pearce who
sadly left us long before he should have.
Chris left a substantial legacy to the RNLI and in particular The Lifeboat Station at Holyhead
Please click on the link for more details.
Tony Burling
Tony Burling, past member of Cheadle & Gatley and Past Table Chairman, sadly passed away on 27th November 2019.
Tony was a well known local estate agent with an office on Station Road, Cheadle Hulme. The business was bought by Lloyds bank some years ago.
Tony was diagnosed with prostate cancer a number of years ago and despite several types of specialist treatment he died at the age of 82.
A Memorial Service was held at St Michaels Parish Church, Bramhall in January 2020 attended by Neil Kellett and Stuart Pennell.
On behalf of everyone at the club who knew Tony - our condolences to his family from everyone concerned.
Tony Burling
Dennis Long
Dennis Long, past member of Cheadle & Gatley and Past Table Chairman, sadly passed away on 5th December 2020 aged 85
On behalf of everyone at the club who knew Dennis - our condolences to his family from everyone concerned.
14th November 1938 to 22nd December 2021
Stuart Pennell
Stuart and Neil Kellett joined Cheadle & Gatley Round Table together in 1968 and remained lifelong friends.
He became Table Chairman in 1978 and 41 Club Chairman in 1985.
He held several posts in Table including secretary and was a keen supporter of the Club at such mind boggling
events as the New Mills Rock Chuck and The Bury Pudding Pot.
Stuart had a wonderful dry sense of humour and would produce memorable reports. One of his 41 Club
highlights was the Audit report on the 2010 accounts when he reported on
unknowns, unknown knowns and unknown unknowns.
He was also a successful Barclays Bank manager, finishing up, to suit his accent, as manager of the Wilmslow branch.
He had a wonderful record with Barclays even though most of the branches where he had previously been
manager were subsequently demolished!
In addition to Round Table, Stuart was a founder member of Gatley & District Rotary Club and had
recently become a member of Bramhall Probus Club. He enjoyed putting the world to rights during visits to
The Thief’s Neck on Fridays and regular get togethers each Wednesday at Bramhall Park Golf Club.
He was a keen follower of sport and spent many a cold Friday night at Edgeley Park watching Sale Sharks
and the cricket test matches at Old Trafford.
The family cottage in Buxton, the Buxton Opera House and Festival and The Halle concerts
provided Stuart with relaxation boltholes.
As well as being an active Tabler Stuart was, of course, a dedicated family man with Jean and children
Nicola and Richard and later, of course, his grandchildren.
He will be sadly missed.
John Newsome
It is with great sadness to report the untimely passing of John Newsome.
John passed away suddenly, at a family event, on Friday afternoon 30th Sept 2022
The funeral was held on Thursday 20th October at 12:15.
John was a long time member of Cheadle & Gatley Round Table and despite moving
to the Crewe area, where he was originally from, he returned to rejoin
Cheadle & Gatley 41 Club in recent years.
John was an accountant and retired at 53 and spent
a number of years mentoring youngsters.
He had a wide interest in architecture and in particular Churches, Cathedrals and Castles.
Always a popular member at Cheadle & Gatley with a wonderful sense of humour.
Condolences to John's family and friends.
Alan M. Walker
ALAN MOWBRAY WALKER
18th Dec.1950 - 14th August 2023
Russell Dymond first met Alan at a garden party hosted at Christopher Pearce’s when Chris asked him to
deliver him home, as Alan had taken something he disagreed with.
He soon found out that it was about 14 pints.
The next time they met was at a Wetherspoon public house in Cheadle Hulme and they continued to meet there
for a few weeks, just chatting and putting the world to right.
They always seemed to agree with Mr. Walker's version. (Cannot think why).
Alan was twice married and was blessed with two daughters and two stepsons.
The name Mowbray was a longstanding family name that Alan insisted on proudly using.
He did relate all about it once, but sadly the story has been forgotten since Russell was
in Wetherspoons with Clarkey when he told them.
Russell introduced Alan to 41 Club and was accepted and joined sometimes later.
His wife Leslie also became a member of Tangent.
Alan soon became Hon. Secretary and held the post for many years.
Alan was also our Chairman in the years 2011/2012.
He was a prominent well-regarded member of the club for many years.
Alan's likes
Loved his Porsche 911. (Hated all Ford cars)
Hot Curries With extra garlic.
Manchester rugby club.
The Avro Heritage Museum.
The Nürburgring, where he used to drive his Porsche.
Alan’s dislikes
Too many to list
Alan starred in the 41 Club Dad’s Army Christmas pantomime and was typecast as Captain Mainwaring,
he seemed to revel in this part and was for always known as Mr. Mannering to many of us.
We will always remember Alan giving reports to our 41 club, at maximum pomposity
with lots of. lots of harrumphing and correctness.
Alan was a good friend who was always ready to help anybody in need.
Including Russell, which was quite often when his computer broke down.
Alan will be greatly missed by all of us and we should be able to raise a glass to him
at the memorial meeting in October.
Mark Tipping
Mark Tipping
Mark
joined Poynton Round Table in 1989 at the age of 30.
He was an
extremely active member and became very involved in Table life.
His
major Round Table career is as follows:-
Poynton
Round Table 1064 (1989-2004)
Chairman
plus many other posts
Chairman
1994-1995 & 2001-2002
President
2002-2003, 2003-2004
Area
40 Chairman 1997-1998
National
Councillor 3 times:
Secretary
Manchester National Conference 1999
National
Liaison Officer Blackpool National Conference 2000
National
Executive 2002-2003
Poynton
41 Club (2004 –
2024)
Chairman
2010-2011
Cheadle &
Gatley 41 Club (2011 – 2024)
Mark
fell off a ladder in 2002 and suffered a serious head injury which
changed his personality but not his attitude to Tabling!
As
a member of the National CS committee he appeared on Television
representing
Round Table during the Children in Need program.
Table
having raised considerable funds through the Round Table Toddle,
which
he jointly organised, a national sponsored walk for children
under 3 years of age.
He
was a great example for the Round Table family and will be sorely
missed.
Rick Donkin 1950-2024
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Rick Donkin.
Rick was a popular member of Cheadle & Gatley
Round Table for many years and will be greatly missed.
Please see the link below for details regarding
funeral arrangements.
https://richarddonkin.muchloved.com/
Neil Kellett 1939-2024 - click for Obituary
Neil Kellet
Trains,
Planes, Automobiles, definitely a corporation bus and “no Taxis”,
Cheadle and Gatley 41 Club will miss their honorary life member Neil
Kellett (NK to us) who sadly passed away at the age of 85.
A
former RTBI National Treasurer, Area 40 Chairman and National
Councillor, 41 Club and Round Table were not the only passions of our
NK. He was fond of travelling and visited all of the countries in
Europe, many of which, before the fall of the Iron Curtain.
He
liked a pint of Beer (or two) and was an avid supporter of CAMRA
where he was Treasurer for a number of years and described by one
tabloid as a “barrel shaped accountant”. His involvement led to
the “CAMRA Investment Club” which he actively managed and
encouraged investment in local real ales.
For
us in Cheadle and Gatley 41 Club he will not only be remembered for
his two terms as Chairman, his meticulous planning of our
international trip each year, his knowledge of the bus and train
timetables throughout the world, but for having the last word which
inevitably was the Cork Times Dirty Limerick Competition.
Cheers
NK you will be sorely missed.
John Mather 1948-2024
Memories of John.
“What a great bloke” would be the universal view, from serving Gatley village with fresh baked goods and making the best breakfast plus helping the community whenever he could.
We would like to share some stories about his time in Cheadle and Gatley Round Table and 41 Club.
John had the sharpest wit and woe betide any guest speaker or club member if they made any inadvertent errors when addressing our group as John would be on them like a rash with a hilarious put down or sarcastic remark, always well before anyone else had thought of one.
But he was a do-er and if anything wanted doing he would help out whenever he could, from hot pot suppers at a barn dances to pie and peas at Gatley Festival, and all done usually after a work day that started at 4.00am for him.
As Round Tablers, as well as helping the community we, were a group that got involved with social events like area summer dances which involved everyone donning fancy dress to match whatever theme we were required to perform, many here will remember them and the costumes they agreed to wear. We have photographic proof!
A particular highlight was our response to producing a routine to depict the film “African Queen”, on the face of it not much scope for creativity given it was basically about a couple in an old boat travelling around Africa.
But John opted for cross dressing well before it became fashionable, he donned a lovely pale blue dress, wig and blacked up face to match the ladies who were in jungle dresses and also with blacked out faces The scenery and costumes were produced with many hours of painting, sewing and then rehearsals, to produce an elaborate set with an African back drop painted onto a cardboard and stretched between 2 large rolls, there was blue fabric waving in front of cut out boat to depict a moving river, with flying fishes on wires, sea birds on poles and as the music started, John started reciting rap, again well ahead of it’s time.
“It’s a rap yes, an African rap, let me tell you a story about the African Queen, the dirtiest boat you ever have seen, it’s rap yeah an African rap”…etc etc”
At which point the rolls on the backdrop were turned to give a very realistic impression of a moving boat in which Peter Owen and Sue were sitting, thunderous applause followed and we won the trophy for best performance.
Just an amazing effort by all led by John.
He chose to cross dress again when we did a routine based on a rest home for the bewildered where he dressed as a nurse.
We also used to attend national sporting weekends based in a university complex somewhere in the UK ideal for accommodation and sports facilities, with full range of sports you could volunteer for to represent your Table area, with up a 3,000 competitors of very varying standards.
One Saturday lunchtime we were all in bar recovering from over- exerting ourselves after a morning playing snooker and darts and there was a call for someone to fill the vacant space in the area swimming team. No obvious candidate volunteered until John, who said he could swim, offered to stand in, that made him fully qualified to compete.
He seemed to forget he had just consumed 3 pints of Guinness and a meat and potato pie and also then remembered had no swimming shorts, but a pair were found, so we headed off to the pool to support his efforts.
He mounted the starting block alongside some serious looking rivals, the starting gun fired and John dived in the water, more of a belly flop than a dive but he headed in the right direction unlike his shorts which slipped down his legs in the opposite direction, much laughter followed, he managed to grab them and restore a modicum of decency, but could only then swim one handed as the other hand held the waistband of his shorts.
Not surprisingly he came in last but for sheer determination he was the winner.
Another year we decided to enter the tug of war competition, 8 men per team, simple rules the team pulling the large rope in their direction for a specified distance being the winners, 3 legs in each contest.
We were drawn against the previous year’s national champions, very sturdy guys with rippling muscles and thick socks, hiking boots for extra grip in the damp ground. We were in training shoes jeans and tee shirts.
They were gulping down health drinks whilst we gulped down beer.
John was our captain and acted as the anchor at the end of the rope.
The referee said “take the strain” which we did, the rope went taught, 3/2/1 and we flew face down into the mud.
John wasn’t happy about this mismatch, so he considered our tactics for the next leg.
We clearly weren’t going to match them for brute force, but then he noticed that his anchor position was near a large tree, so quick as a flash he wrapped the end of the rope around the tree and secured it.
Second leg ;“ Take the strain”, 3/2/1, we didn’t budge an inch despite the strenuous efforts of our competitors, they just couldn’t move us, the sight of John lighting a fag whilst holding the rope with one hand, really got to them, so they shouted to each other “come on lads one big effort we can do this”
Hearing this John unwrapped the rope from the tree, their one last effort sent them flying backwards into an untidy heap.
They weren’t best pleased, despite winning, but eventually saw the funny side and we all enjoyed a beer together.
That was John at his quick-thinking best!
Over the years we became good friends with the guys from Peterhead Round Table, some of whom have travelled to be here today
Thanks for your patience and let’s raise our glasses and share a toast to memories of John.
Cheers.