Some Memories of Derek Seddon
By Peter Walker
In my early days on the KMC Committee the meetings circulated around the homes of the members and were accompanied by “refreshments” – usually a sumptuous spread. Just married, I was living in a “dingy” flat, so Derek who was the Secretary took my turn as well as his own.
Gwen and I moved into our own house, a semi, but had no furniture. Derek turned up with a massive oak gate-legged table and chairs which filled our entire dining room. Sometime later, Derek phoned to say he would be coming round to “borrow” them back (!) as the relatives who had given them to him were coming to stay and would expect to use them.
Car – the addition of a baby meant that my motor bike was no longer suitable as family transport, so we bought a car; a battered 20-year old Morris Minor for £30! It looked very “dodgy”. Then Derek’s neighbour died and Derek was asked to sell his car. It was a 1939 Morris 10, which had been stored in a cellar since the start of the war, together with two spare wings and a complete set of tools. Derek said “same price as your present car, £30 (it would be priceless today!). So with a brand new, 30-year old car with wind-up windscreen, manually operated wipers, and semaphore arm turning indicators we were able to go on family holidays – just take out the front passenger seat and put in our PRAM!
We have never forgotten and now 50 years later, this is the Derek we remember. Kind, thoughtful, generous. DEREK THE MAN.
