Obituaries

Obituaries Graham Jones 1940-2015 Born in Shrewsbury, Graham joined Shropshire County Council as a trainee shortly after leaving school. Once qualied, he spent his early career with Shropshire before moving to Oxfordshire County Council in 1969. Grahams commitment, knowledge and extensive skills allowed him to work his way through the ranks until he was appointed assistant county trading standards ofcer, a post he held until his retirement in 2000. Everyone Graham worked with appreciated his straightforward management approach and integrity, and he was always on hand to offer advice and practical help. His legal processing expertise and advocacy skills earned many commendations in local magistrates courts. Outside of work, Graham had a busy social life and was an enthusiastic squash player, regularly playing and winning against colleagues. He was also a rm xture in the ofce cricket team, putting many younger players to shame. The day after retiring, he moved with his wife Beth to enjoy the Devon coast, but his daughter and family had already moved to Australia, leaving a gap in their lives. Graham had always enjoyed world travel and, after several holiday visits down under, the couple decided to buy a property near Adelaide, where their family lived. This was a move he never regretted. Watching kangaroos, using his licensed gun to aim at and usually miss destructive cockatoos, and chopping up poisonous snakes that had found their way into the swimming pool became a way of life far removed from trading standards. Graham kept in contact with former colleagues and on the few occasions he returned to England always made a point of stopping off for a chat. Above all, Graham was a family man unassuming, with a wonderful sense of humour who loved to put the world to rights over a pint. Our sympathy goes to his wife, daughter and family. Contributed by David Sibbert and Tom Edwards Roy Ernest Pett 1931-2015 Roy was born in Edmonton, London, and started his working career with local firm Herbert & Sons, where he both qualified as a scale maker and met his future wife, Pat, who also worked there. After doing his National Service with the RAF, during which he became a wireless operator flying on Vickers Varsity bombers, Roy joined Middlesex County Council as an assistant. In time, he became a coal officer and finally graduated to being an inspector of weights and measures. After leaving Middlesex, he joined the Borough of East Ham in London, and in 1965 moved to the newly formed Borough of Bexley, working alongside Phillip Rush, Peter Bonwick and Ted Wall. Eventually, Roy became head of service and steered Bexley through Published Thursday 7 May, 2015 many changes at management level. In 1986/87, Roy was appointed chairman of the Society of Chief Trading Standards Officers. He retired early from Bexley, in 1993, not entirely by choice, but prompted by budget savings. With his work ethic still very much alive, he joined the Data Protection Registrar as an investigator a job he thoroughly enjoyed, particularly as he was again working in the field. In his youth, Roy was a keen and successful road-racing cyclist, who approached training and races a the dedication that was evident throughout his career. In later years, he often travelled to France and Portugal to enjoy the sun and wine although not necessarily in that order. A dedicated officer, Roy was relentless in his pursuit of wrongdoers, particularly in the coal trade. He was quiet by nature, but commanded a considerable amount of affection and respect among all those who knew him. Latterly, Roy suffered with Alzheimers disease, which he faced with his usual good nature and sense of humour. His death, from a heart attack, was sudden and unexpected. Family, friends, colleagues and representatives from CTSI attended Roys funeral, held at the Medway crematorium, in Kent, in March. He leaves a wife, twin daughters, Susan and Julie, and six grandchildren, to whom we offer our sincere condolences. Contributed by Chris Withers, retired CTSI member To share this page, click on in the toolbar