As recently described by a member of Reading Voluntary Action, Roger was a ‘big man with a big heart’ and of that heart he gave of his all. I first met Roger when I became involved with the East Reading Adventure Playground Association, ERAPA back in 2012. He and I along with a number of others sat on the committee to oversea the future of the association. At first meeting Roger, I was just a little intimidated by his strength of character. That intimidation quickly turned in to respect and appreciation for his passion in championing local causes.
The charities and community groups with which Roger was involved were legion. If not generally supporting the causes of tenant participation and neighbourhood involvement, he was specifically working with ERAPA (as mentioned), the Reading Neighbourhood Network as Treasurer, and the East Reading Festival as an organiser. He also worked with the Reading Ukrainian Centre as well, pouring over their books and providing advice. I know Richard Bennett is here attending on behalf of the Conservation Area Advisory and Reading Civic Society and I’m sure he will also attest to Roger’s enthusiasm. Roger’s energy for all of these causes seemed endless. Where he derived the time and fervour was bemusing but it had become his personal passion to help others. I must say at this point that Roger wasn’t Mr Nice Guy all of the time. He had no qualms about questioning and advising the local council about how they should be running Reading. In that he had many vocal supporters.
Roger also had no problem just turning up unannounced at RVA, in the library, with a packet of biscuits for the workers. As Rachel Spencer and the team will attest, that was usually a cue for a round of teas and coffees. On most occasions Roger had no reason to be there but just by drinking tea and talking, he found out all of the latest news, which he would use to his causes best advantage.
His help wasn’t only on the advice side. He had no qualms about physically involving himself as well. He was one of the first to offer to help to set up the East Reading Festival on the Sunday. I’ve never seen someone so eager and quick to supply a trailer to move needed equipment. Where that magical trailer arrived from, no one really knew. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, he would still put in an 8 to 10 hour day, before during and after the festivals.
It wasn’t all work with Roger. After each day’s events at either ERAPA or the festival, Roger and the rest of the team would decant to a local hostelry for a well earned beverage. That’s when I got to know Roger, the real person. Stories of his life flowed, during which his interests in engineering and sailing made for many an entertaining evening and his love of his extended family came to the fore.
He was a bear of a man but that didn’t put off either the small children at ERAPA and East Reading Festival or the Septuagenarians at his lunch clubs. His kindly demeanour and helpfulness endeared him to all ages and particularly his friends and colleagues. Whether chivvying children to ‘be careful’, planning the layout of the festival site or someone needing advice on who to contact in the town to further causes, Roger was there.
With the recent lockdown came the opportunity for Roger to put to further good use his computer skills through web researches. He was working with the Conservation Area Advisory Committee on an updated appraisal of Reading’s first conservation area and was just starting a local history project on the Earley area. He was constantly making good use of his time to the benefit and support of the community.
My friends and colleagues from both RVA, East Reading Festival and more widely the voluntary sector send our condolences to you his family and friends and they give their respects to the memory of this ‘big man with a big heart’. The local voluntary sector will miss you greatly, Roger. On this day, which would have been your 77th birthday, I’ll have an extra beverage this evening to toast your life.
Extra notes:
ERAPA (adventure playground assoc)
Soon after the council purloined the ERAPA building and the trustees were forced to remove all remnants of ERAPA’s occupation, Roger was right at the forefront of the team prepared to help clear the building. He and I knew enough though, to stand back whilst the younger fellows did all of the heavy lifting but when the correct loading needed re-sorting, he quietly made no comment and got about rearranging his trailer. A man with diplomatic skills when it pleased him. He was also happy to redistribute the toys and games to those who might appreciate them locally. A man with a big heart at all times.
Every Wednesday he met with Septuagenarians at Tutu’s cafe for a panini and a chat.
He would have struggled with the current lockdown mindset but even then he occupied his mind with events of local import and researching matters that needed researching.