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May/June Issue 61 - Flipbook - Page 20


NEWS
JOHN WOOLDRIDGE 1939 - 2020
AVRO were very sad to hear of
the passing of John Wooldridge
at Mary Steven’s Hospice in
Stourbridge on 5th December
2020.
his previous day’s performance,
I said to him on the contrary and
informed him that the Region 6
council member had resigned
and would he be interested in the
post? To say he was flabbergasted
was an understatement. He was
John Rogers & David Thorley
duly proposed and elected and
share their memories of John:
soon became a very outspoken
My first recollection of John
but positive and active council
Wooldridge was at AVRO’s 1980
member. In 1983 at the end
of my tenure as Chairman, my
AVRO-EX exhibition and AGM
held at the Chateau Impney. I was Vice Chairman, Brian Drury was
Vice Chairman at the time, sitting duly elected Chairman with John
Wooldridge supporting Brian as
on the top table between Terry
Crompton our Chairman and John Vice Chairman.
Wells our Director General. During
During this time John had become
any other business, a big fella at
the back of the room, attended by a notable magistrate, sitting on
about 90 members, started asking the bench with distinction, in
his local community. John sold
pertinent questions about the
his business two years later,
policies of AVRO, what were the
novice associations’ aims and also but not content to sit back and
take it easy, he became AVRO’s
what were we going to do about
first full time roving Inspection
recovery clubs rates (does that
sound familiar). John Wells turned Engineer. To save the association
accommodation costs he
to me and commented “does this
guy ever shut up?” but John Wells purchased a motorhome with his
own funds.
had to admit that his questions
were all constructive and relevant.
John was a very talented musician
specialising on keyboard and
This man was John Wooldridge
guitar but also playing the clarinet.
who owned a truck repair and 24
hour recovery service at Dudley in He also had a collection of vintage
the West Midlands. The following motorcycles, a BSA, Matchless,
Ariel and Norton but his pride
day I was elected chairman of
and joy was a Honda which was
our association and one of the
among the first batch of Honda’s
first tasks I had to face was the
council member for region 6 West imported into the UK during the
early fifties.
Midlands announced. He had to
relinquish his duties as council
member and duly resigned on the After John stood down as AVRO’s
spot. What a beginning to a newly Engineer, he became a member of
the Midlands Three Wheeler Blood
acquired position, I suddenly had
an inspiration about the man with Bike Association delivering blood
all the questions. I went in search and donor organs all over the UK.
of him around the exhibition and
During my three years as AVRO
eventually found him where else
Chairman I was honoured to
but in the bar of the Chateau
serve with twenty six different
Impney. At first he thought I had
council member colleagues and
come to have a go at him over
20
I would place John Wooldridge
in the top five. It was a pleasure
to have him as part of AVRO’s
team. I always enjoyed his
humour, forthright views, technical
knowledge and experience. He
leaves many happy memories
and special thoughts of his
meetings with yesteryear council
members. My condolences go
to Beryl, Elaine and all of the
Wooldridge family for the loss of
an AVRO Honorary life member,
John Wooldridge. Goodnight
Wooly you are no doubt learning
to play the harp in heaven.
John Rogers
AVRO Chairman 1980-1983