1st March 1951 -- 26th August 2023
20 years ago Vince became involved with a European funded project proposed to document villages in a snap shot of time. The Grenoside village Plan and Design statement brought together a variety of Grenoside people.
After initial enthusiasm the task eventually fell to a dedicated small group. Vince was one of the movers and shakers of the group, often generously providing not only his and Audrey’s home for meetings but also some well chosen liquid refreshment, that probably helped to ease us over the line. ts, The Grenoside Village Plan and The Grenoside Design Statement produced was professional and informative. A credit to the project team.
Out of this endeavor the save the Grenoside Reading Room enterprise was born. The Reading Room, built 1789 is the only listed building in the Village. A small collaborative group was established under the leadership of the late Dr David Rickard.
Vince with his business acumen and undoubted intellect was an enthusiastic and practical member of the team that in 2007 became local Trustees of The Old School Charity of which the Reading Room is its asset.
We were granted over £200,000 Heritage lottery funding plus matched funding to return the Grade 2 listed Reading Room on School Lane to its former glory. A kitchen and toilet extension were added and once opened Vince continued as a valued Trustee.
A cafe was established ten years ago, Vince wasn’t afraid to don a pinny and help serve soup, teas, coffee and cake. His cheeky disposition soon won over the customers both young and old, and contributed to the Monday cafe’s popularity.
He was an ideas man, never afraid to embrace new technology, but this was always tempered with a keen eye for detail and finance. His last project for the Trustees was a complicated endeavor to try to return lease holds to some nearby cottages.
The Trustees of the Reading Room owe a great deal to Vince, he will be very sadly missed, but the Reading Room will, forever be part of his legacy to Grenoside.
Thank you Vince, God Bless from the Trustees and volunteers at the Reading Room.
