Tribute to the Society Chairman, Geoff Williams MBE

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that our Chairman of Council, Geoff Williams died on Sunday 22nd August in Crete while on holiday.

This news came as a great shock to us all and many of his close friends have responded with appropriate messages one of which I include below.

Geoff Williams (1949-1955)
 
Geoff and I were in the same class together and left school in 1955 to become Police Cadets in the old Bristol Constabulary. After National Service (Geoff in the Army and me in the RAF) I resumed my police career. Geoff, as a member of the close harmony group the Kestrels, toured the country for a few years before also returning to his police career. He served in Bristol and Avon and Somerset until 1978 before transferring on promotion to Inspector in the West Mercia Constabulary based in Worcester. He retired in 1995 with the rank of Chief Inspector and was awarded the MBE for his services to the Police Federation.

Geoff and I renewed our friendship when he attended the Old Caths Annual Reunion Dinner the year I was installed as President (1995). Roger Maggs, one of the other three Kestrels, also attended that dinner and, after a thirty-year gap, renewed his contact with Geoff. This event acted as the catalyst for the Kestrels deciding to reform and, over the years since, they have raised many thousands of pounds for charity.
        
Roger and Geoff both joined Council and in turn were elected to be President in 1998 and 2006 respectively. He and I had much in common and it will be hard in the days and weeks ahead to realise that he is no longer with us.

Hugo Pike

The funeral will take place on Thursday, 16th September with the following timetable:

11.00am      Bristol Cathedral - Funeral Service and Celebration of Geoff's Life
Revd. Peter Knight OC will officiate - public parking in the vicinity is difficult and at least 30 minutes should be allowed to find a car park and walk in to the Cathedral.

12.30pm    Canford Crematorium - Canford Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3PQ - Cremation Service - open to all 

Everyone is invited to join Geoff's family and friends following the services as follows:

12.30pm     Avon Gorge Hotel Clifton Tea and coffee will be served from 12.30pm and light refreshments from 13.15pm
 
We hope that you may be able to attend.

David Baker – Hon Secretary, the Cathedralians Society