Obituaries

Obituaries Steve Whitehouse 1951-2015 Steve started his career as a trainee with Newport Trading Standards at the office in Corn Street. He qualified in 1973 and started as a weights and measures inspector in October 1973. After a local government reorganisation he carried out general inspection duties as a weights and measures inspector for Gwent County Council, moving around the county to offices in Rogerstone, Newport and Abertillery. As lead officer for quality assurance (QA), he showed commitment by gaining a diploma in QA from the College of Higher Education in Newport, and later by heading the special investigations team. He was a stalwart supporter for the Young Consumer competition, engaging with schools in the authority and leading them to many national finals. An active footballer, playing for Crindau Corries in the Newport league for many years and supporting Wolves football club, Steve was also passionate about his rugby, holding a season ticket for Newport Dragons for many years. At the last reorganisation Steve became head of trading standards for Torfaen County Borough Council, and then stayed on despite reaching retirement age determined to see trading standards fairly represented, and not sidelined during the uncertain times arising from the Williams report and ever decreasing funding for our service. He was on the verge of retiring to spend more time with his wife Jane and their children and grandchildren, which makes his sudden passing even more tragic. Steves death also means the loss of a huge advocate for our profession, and for consumer protection as a whole he always took any opportunity to raise our cause and Im sure this would have continued in his retirement. Our condolences go to his close colleagues and family. Contributed by Gareth Walters Susan Frances Tierney 1964-2014 Susan grew up with her parents and sister in London where, from early childhood, she always knew her own mind and would quietly stand her ground a lifelong trait. Working as a nurse in London, Susan met her future partner, Adrian, and while travelling with him in the Far East, decided on a new career in trading standards. She read law at the University of Essex before joining Suffolk Trading Standards as a trainee TSO in 2000, taking the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) route. Her Suffolk colleagues remember her as very focused, a hard worker, a serious person who spent many an hour in Suffolks lab going over scale divisions and limits of error but with a wicked sense of humour when she got going. Always kind and cheerful, Susan remained composed, positive and supportive when Adrian was very ill after an accident, demonstrating her strength of character and resolve. Other colleagues recall a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in Ipswich where when seizing counterfeit goods all got a bit hands on Susan became a security guard/bodyguard. Although totally out of her comfort zone, she dealt with it amazingly, adapting from the familiar, softly-spoken officer to a tough force to be reckoned with. After a 2007 move to Essex Trading Standards projects team, Susan made her mark in Days of Action, working with the police and licensing to inspect all public houses in a town. Well-liked by traders and consumers for her pragmatic and friendly advice, she advised food manufacturers on labelling and metrology. Retiring from trading standards a year before her death, after a long struggle with cancer, Susan carried on working and taking an interest in life, her loved-ones and her allotment. She passed away at home with Adrian at her side, survived by her parents Carol and John, her sister Lois, niece Maria and great-nephew Alexander. Her funeral was held at Weeley Crematorium, Essex, in December 2014. Contributed by Jenny Wiehahn and Hayley Johnson David Ingham FTSI 1938-2014 Bradford-born Yorkshireman David Ingham passed away peacefully in his favourite chair in October 2014. David started his career in the Bradford City office where he was awarded the Testamur prize of the Institute in 1962 and qualified as an inspector in 1965, having completed his two-year National Service as a wireless operator in the Royal Air Force. Moving to the West Riding of Yorkshire as an efficient and effective enforcement officer, he put the less scrupulous coalmen into a state of complete trepidation. He also grabbed the new Trade Descriptions Act powers with enthusiasm, investigating car frauds his dogged determination resulting in two most helpful appeal Published Tuesday 24 March, 2015 cases meanwhile developing his metrological expertise at the Avery factory in Sherburn-in-Elmet. David was secretary of the institutes Yorkshire and Humberside Branch from 1975 for more than 15 years minus 1986 as chairman without the support given in other authorities, donating his leave and other spare time for his professional colleagues benefit. Held in the greatest respect throughout his career, David was made a Fellow in 1987 and retired in 1996 as head of the North Yorkshire Countys specialist food safety team a professional to the core and a caring manager with a distinct sense of humour. A long-time supporter of Rugby League, David later turned to rambling, fell-walking and amateur dramatics, especially Christmas pantomime, where he took pains to introduce a line about trading standards in each production. In accordance with his beliefs, the British Humanist Association conducted A celebration of the Life of David attended by ex-colleagues and College Fellows representatives Graham Venn and Gordon Gresty at York Crematorium in November 2014. Married to Mavis for nearly 42 years, David was a great family man, a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Our condolences go to Mavis and the family. Contributed by John Corfield To share this page, click on in the toolbar "