Born and educated in Northampton, he grew up in Park Avenue PM church, where he was a Sunday School teacher, church steward and Boys' Brigade leader. He became a local preacher in 1952 and was President of the LPMAA in 1962..

He qualified as a solicitor, took an external London LLB, and later received an honorary LLD. His legal career was marked by diligence, integrity and compassion. He served as a Conservative parish, borough and county councillor, was mayor of Northampton in 1978 and in 1988 was made a freeman of the borough. As chair of the education committee he oversaw various developments, including the evolution of Northampton College of Education into Nene College and then into Northampton University. He served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Leicester University. The Derngate Centre's concert hall was built on his initiative.

He held many connexional offices, including trustee of Westminster Central Hall and of the Methodist Hometead, Northampton, director of the Methodist Newspaper Company and secretary of the Connexional Advance and Priority Fund. He was a member of the President's Council.

Railways, fell-walking in the Lake District and music were among his favourite pastimes. But in his closing years his activities were restricted by diabetes, blindness and cancer. He died on 17 July 2008.

Category: Person
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