May 17, 2025 9:54 am | by Terry Brown | Posted in Tributes
“Pax House”. How many times over the years must we have been greeted by that response? I remember once remarking to him that a particular person was a snob but he shook his head and replied, “oh no, we in Pax House are the snobs” and roared with laughter. He referred to his workplace at Bedford Hospital as Physical Medicine, everyone else seemed to call it Physiotherapy!
So here was a person of strong faith, strong enough to support others in their hour of need and firmly in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, so no surprise that he should return to this great church to worship. His analysis of the Catholic ritual of a particular church was often based on the quote from All Saints Margaret Street, “Music by Mozart, Libretto by Cranmer, but Choreography my dear, by Fortescue”.
John was no particular respecter of status or office: I remember with horror attending a bellringing practice of a rather elite Society, at that time restricted to men only, at St Paul’s Cathedral. I had issued clear instructions as to the convention of how he should greet the auspicious personage in charge of the Society and organising the ringing – with “good evening Master”. His choice of words was brief: “hi”. Dropped jaws all round, and the Master quite expressionless. Ever hoped the earth would swallow you up in one second? John joined the Society in 1956, proposed by Jim Prior, seconded by George Cecil. Although he appreciated well struck ringing, I think it fair to say he was never an active member.
Funny how eccentric people lend themselves to amusing situations, like the time one of the ringers of St Andrew’s had a suspected heart attack in the ringing chamber, having heard of this John raced to his aid, providing reassurance until the ambulance crew arrived. Unfortunately, descending the tower with the carry chair, the pocket of the Paramedic behind the patient slipped neatly over the banister handrail, leading to a rather nervous request for John to lower the trousers until they became free.
He always told with pride of taking part in a passion play with Bishop Richard Chartres as Jesus and himself in the role of Pontius Pilate.
One tale I can’t let go adrift is the occasion when, on a ringing outing to Liverpool, John was very keen to ring the Great Bell, all of 82cwt. He was on the tall box. As I was passing him in the sand pit below, John commanded “take this” and gave me what we both assumed was the long rope. As my head rapidly approached a beam, I thought it might be a good idea to let go. Meanwhile, of course, John had yards or rope to contend with. After 15 minutes we had the bell back up in ‘up’, ringing position, but we had by then used up nearly all of our ringing time before the service. It was painful driving back home with skinned hands, but more excruciating that we had so cut short the ringing on the heaviest ring of bells in the world!
Another occasion found us at St Augustine’s Kilburn for Solemn Benediction. It was hear that John started his tradition of taking that line in the Divine Praises, “Blessed be St Joseph, her Spouse Most Chaste”, or “Blessed be St Joseph, her most chaste spouse” – which ever version was in the order of service, his stentorian tones would utter the other. His voice being rather loud, this really grated, and the first time he did it I received glares as I couldn’t control my hysteria.
John died within 3 days of the well-known bell historian Fr David Cawley, of Kent, Norfolk, Bristol, Leicester…and we stayed with him on a ringing tour in Bristol area in the early 1990s. I gather John met with the approval of his housekeeper!
John contributed to ringing in many ways: when in charge at St Andrew’s he was instrumental in the augmentation of the bells from 6 to 8, and longer ago, in the 1960s he sat on a committee which revised the Bedfordshire Association’s district boundaries. He was quite knowledgeable about bell maintenance but there were usually others about who were more interested.
On another occasion, and to re-visit a more well-known incident, John was very keen to get a ring at Arlesey, and in those days the ringing chamber was accessed by a near-vertical, 40ft wooden ladder. Arriving late, he dashed up the ladder, everything suddenly went dark, and his eyes met with all this lace. The recipient of this unwelcome intrusion came to life with “John, John, get down, John!” Miss Steel, Association President, was not amused.
John had vivid memories of various High Church characters, for example Canon Brian Brindley, featured in the biography Loose Canon, leading a procession at the annual Walsingham Pilgrimage.
Another fascination for John was pipe organs, and he himself was a competent service organist, he also went on various organ crawls with the Bedfordshire and District Organists’ Association. This brings to mind, a visit to Norwich Cathedral he told me of, where he accidentally-on-purpose suddenly let rip with the instrument’s Bombarde section, rattling the windows and causing consternation: officials came running.
Then, there was a fairly recent visit to Tom Tower at Oxford, where the visitors were given strict instructions not to go anywhere near the clapper of Great Tom. When the guide was looking the other way, John could not resist and the clapper made a deafening impact on the bell!
So, John was flawed, perhaps in rather unusual ways, but he definitely had significant good points. He always had time for his friends, though he definitely didn’t appreciate calls after 10pm due to the distance from his bedroom to the phone in the hallway!
John was a supporter of the Aids Vigil that used to happen annually here at St Paul’s. One of the pieces of music that was always played was The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood and there’s a line that I think sums up John as a friend, forgive me if I don’t sing it: – “When the chips are down I’ll be around”.
Pax.
Owen Davis
March 9, 2025 5:17 pm | by Terry Brown | Posted in Tributes
This is the tribute given for Cliff Izzard at his funeral by his family Cliff Izzard Tribute_Final 3
January 21, 2025 8:45 pm | by Terry Brown | Posted in Tributes
Some tributes to Cliff by members, past and present, of the Bedfordshire Association given at a meeting of the Ancient Society of College Youths (ASCY) of which Cliff was also a member.
Cliff (right) with Stephen Ivin on the Kempston Outing 2005.
From Keith Fleming:
It was my very good fortune to have learned to ring at Kempston which, at that time, had one of the most active Sunday Service bands in Bedfordshire.
I was one of a batch of learners who, because of sheer numbers, had to take their turn, and was advised to watch and learn by the example of other more experienced ringers!
In that slightly competitive atmosphere, there was a good deal of banter but, I for one, was impressed by how someone like Cliff could make ringing a bell look so easy! There was no ‘showing off”, he rang with such ease and natural style and, as a new recruit, I tried to copy his natural way of ringing.
One of my earliest ringing memories was of going on the Kempston ringers coach outing to the Cotswolds. The last tower of the day was Evesham, when Cambridge Major was rung on the back eight. This was the highlight of the days ringing, with Cliff ringing the 36cwt. tenor with such ease and style.
Our paths have inevitably diverged, what with job locations, but the occasional meetings have always been accompanied by such good humour and, a bit of leg pulling!
Cliff Izzard was a first class ringer who was an example to all, but in a modest way, and was such good company socially as well.
P.S. We both rang in an ASCY peal, Stedman Caters at Kempston, conducted by Stephen Ivin, Cliff rang the tenor and I the ninth. We had a ribbing after the peal from SJI who thought that the two ‘old fogies ‘ on the back bells could/should have pushed the speed of the ringing along a bit more, to break the three hour sound barrier!
From Anthony Smith:
Cliff was first and foremost a member of All Saints church Kempston, but despite this he had a wide influence on ringers and ringing in the Bedford area as a whole.
His main and lasting legacy, is the bell installation at Kempston where he was the prime mover in getting the bells restored and hung in a new frame in 1979. He was not only one of the leading fund raisers and project manager, but he also did all the design and detailing work for the new frame. His assembly drawing can be seen on the wall of the ringing chamber. After this he oversaw the augmentation to ten in 1981, the frame was already designed to accommodate the extra bells.
During this time, he maintained a band who rang to a high standard for both practice and Sundays.
He was a very capable and rhythmic ringer who was a fixture in the Bedfordshire band at the time when we regularly won the Ridgman Trophy ten bell competition. He was also a regular in the St Paul’s Bedford peal band ringing 38 peals there in the 70’s and 80’s. Amongst his 265 peals (five with the Society, all in Bedfordshire) were the last on the six, first on the eight, last before and first after rehanging and first on the ten at Kempston.
The social side of ringing was also very important; he organised a series of weekends away visiting a few towers during the day and having a “jolly time” in the pub during the evening and gatherings at Kempston were not to be missed.
In summary Cliff was a fine ringer who has left a lasting legacy, whose abilities and sense of fun will stay with those who knew him for the rest of our days.
From Andrew Keech:
Cliff Izzard was simply the best. From my first ringing lesson in October 1975, I knew I was in good hands with Cliff; he was kind, generous, funny, often a bit cheeky too, and always caring about others. I can’t begin to understand his immense technical and engineering knowledge but his legacy at All Saints Kempston is immense. When the old oak frame had served its time, Cliff had the vision to design the new frame to accommodate augmentation to ten bells with an enlarged tenor as he knew the original 1603 bell could be replaced when funds allowed.
Cliff liked good striking far more than complex method ringing. He was more than capable of ringing complicated things but generally chose not to, and once Kempston were augmented he loved nothing more than to drum the tenor to fast, but accurate, Grandsire Caters; his sense of rhythm will be hard to match. He cared deeply about the band overall and believed passionately that the post practice pub session was just as important as the ringing itself. He loved the social side of ringing and those lucky enough to attend one of the May coach outings will recall Cliff beaming away as the bus filled up to sample five or six towers and at least three pubs, before he ensured we all left singing the old songs from yesteryear on the final leg home.
Cliff dedicated his life to All Saints, Kempston not just the bells, serving diligently in many areas. The only time he seemed to get nervous was when the vicar changed, lest the new man didn’t like bellringing, but Cliff always handled this brilliantly by arranging a welcoming peal with an invitation to join the band in a nearby pub afterwards. We never saw a vicar off from the parish but there was only one (Rev Richard Carter) who coped with the amount of beer drunk by the ringers.
Other tributes will cover Cliff’s statistical achievements, I simply want to thank him for teaching and encouraging me into something that lasted nearly 50 years and for leaving the legacy of All Saints Kempston for ringers to enjoy for centuries to come. God bless you Cliff, a true legend.
From David Stanford:
My first memories of Cliff are from when I learnt to ring in 1969, cycling several miles to ring at the Kempston practices on a Wednesday evening where George (Sid) Hutchins was tower captain and Cliff and Anne, being members of the band, were usually present.
I believe at this time it was felt by some of the band that Sid had passed the pinnacle of his leadership and it was time for a change. In any event change came and Cliff became the Kempston tower captain. Applying traditional values, Cliff recruited and coached a mixed band of old and young resulting in a solid local tower band who were also pretty good at socialising in the traditional ways of ringers.
Cliff was instrumental in managing the project to augment Kempston bells from eight to ten and in introducing Surprise Major and Royal methods to the repertoire (but not at the expense of the old favourites, Grandsire, Stedman and Double Norwich). I benefitted greatly from Cliff’s encouragement to attend Kempston and learn Surprise Major methods, there being a gap in my ringing portfolio due to a stepwise transition from ringing on six bells at Elstow to twelve bells at St Paul’s Bedford.
I will fondly remember the Kempston coach outings organised by Cliff which were popular and not to be missed. It was on these outings that I learnt traditional songs, some of which were sung under protest by those who deemed them unfit for young ears.
After moving from Bedford to Suffolk in 1989 I made regular visits to Kempston and enjoyed catching up with Cliff at the Sunday service ringing. Cliff always showed interest in my family and the goings on in Suffolk, Southwold being one of Cliffs favourite holiday destinations. I will miss these occasional meetings with Cliff which would generally include humour and mischief in Cliff’s unique style.
Sadly, Cliff now joins a number of other Bedfordshire ringers who are no longer with us whose character and personality have influenced me and others like me who knew them, and for that I am grateful.
I offer my condolences to Cliff’s family at this time and trust that the sadness of loss will be soon replaced by memories of a life lived to the full. May Cliff rest in peace
From Clive Smith:
Cliff was a central character in my early ringing experiences and character is most certainly the correct description. He was encouraging, jovial, valued good quality ringing, making this expectation clear in a friendly way, and a good quality of social life after the ringing, which often involved some pints of Abbot ale and laughter. The ringing outing, preferably by coach, was therefore the perfect environment to deliver quality in ringing and jolly socialising in the same event as were weekends away, generally in Southwold – and it was no co-incidence that this was the home of Adnams’ brewery. I am sure I was not the only young ringer to learn from Cliff that doing all things well is the way to enjoyment of our art.
After I could drive, I would often visit the Kempston practice Cliff ran to advance my ten bell ringing, in particular getting the correct rhythm. Cliff wanted a certain tempo to the ringing and set this clearly when on the tenor. There were 3 types of call at Kempston: “Bob”, “Single” and “Faster!”. I am pleased that Cliff was in my first peal and the recent 40th anniversary peal was appropriately rung in his memory. That memory will always be one with a smile, a chuckle, and thinking of well struck ringing and a good time after.
From Chris Pickford:
Others will have spoken of Cliff’s long service to ringing – especially at Kempston – and of his abilities as a ringer. No less important was his bell restoration work which resulted in the transformation of Kempston bells in 1978 from a difficult eight and the augmentation to ten a couple of years later. He was very much involved in the more recent work to improve the ring in 2019. He felt pleased, I know, that the work he had initiated in the 1970s was, in a sense, ‘completed’ by the replacement of the 1603 Watts tenor (now ‘retired’) with a fine Taylor 21cwt tenor of 1910 from the Prinknash Abbey chime. The bells will be his lasting legacy.
Kempston was my home tower in the last couple of years of my time in Bedford. Cliff was an exemplary tower captain and, no less important, placed great emphasis on the après ringing social life of the band. The drinking was always in Cliff’s favoured pub of the times, none more fondly remembered by the rest of us than Denis’s at Kempston West End – an establishment where licensing hours were highly flexible and the beer always excellent. Cliff was always centre stage in the pub, too. He had considerable presence and his fund of stories, his wisdom, shrewd observation and wry wit contributed to the enjoyment of practice night pub visits. The chance to spend time with Cliff was a strong motivator for many to attend. Needless to say, he will be remembered with great fondness.
Although he liked ringing at towers further afield, most of his peal ringing was in Bedfordshire. There was one occasion, though, when Brian (Shetland) Harris arranged a Bedfordshire band to ring a peal at Inveraray in 1983 and persuaded Cliff and his wife Anne to ring. On paper it wasn’t an especially strong band, yet we rose to the occasion and rang a jolly good peal. Cliff, on the ninth, was absolutely rock solid and rang superbly. Needless to say, our success was well celebrated afterwards, much to his enjoyment.
Cliff was elected to the Society in 1975 when he was at his most active, the peak of his peal-ringing career coinciding with the glory days of Stephen Ivin’s Bedford band – just before the augmentation to twelve in 1978. He certainly valued his membership, and the Society can take some pride in having had Cliff as a member. A good ringer and a top man.
From Steve Stanford:
Cliff died peacefully, aged 93, at his home in Box End Kempston, surrounded by his family, on 10th December 2024 following a cancer diagnosis, and (thankfully) a relatively short period of decline.
He was a constant in my life who I had known since the earliest days of my ringing career when as a young teenager, I cycled to the Kempston practices (at that time run by George Hutchings). His skill and knowledge of matters technical and mechanical was an inspiration to me. He was instrumental in encouraging my decision to pursue a career in engineering and my early interest in bell maintenance and restoration, subsequently through my involvement in the 1978 restoration at Kempston. For this, amongst many other things, I have much to thank him for and I shall be forever deeply grateful to him. Cliff was always someone who I could consult and depend on and we developed a much-valued friendship resulting in many ventures over the years; a source of fond and amusing memories rather too numerous (and some perhaps not appropriate) to recall.
From Bedford Road School, Cliff attended Luton Technical College and completed a mechanical engineering technical apprenticeship with the Bedford firm of W. H. A. Robertson and Co a supplier of steel mill rolling equipment. Having completed national service with the RAF, he returned to the firm, ultimately qualifying as a chartered mechanical engineer, heading up their design and drawing office in Mile Road Bedford. Following the firm’s merger with Loewy Engineering and later acquisition by Davy Corporation, he, along with several colleagues, established a successful independent mechanical engineering design business, Cygnus Engineering, winning and completing international contracts, perhaps most significantly amongst which was the transfer of a steel mill to Surabaya, Indonesia and its reassembly. He possessed a brilliant technical mind and was skilled in spatial visualisation, that was no doubt key to his success as a practical engineer, and this along with his friendly and relaxed manner and a concern for the welfare of others, made him a natural leader for such a business. His covert handover of the Cygnus Engineering calendar each Christmas, neatly sealed in a brown cardboard envelope, was keenly anticipated, and took pride of place on my university room wall, although it’s probably not the kind of thing that would be considered appropriate or even permissible today!
Cliff learned to ring at Kempston Bedfordshire where his father Walter was a member of a capable minor band under Pearl Inskip’s leadership. It included Bedfordshire stalwarts such as, Ernest Freeman, George Hutchings, Cyril Prindiville, Len Turner and of Cliff’s generation, Michael (later Revd.) and Richard Stephens. There was a strong emphasis on accurate striking and loyalty to the local band; basic principles that remained with Cliff, and that he ably encouraged in others throughout his ringing career. His name first appears in the Bedfordshire Association Annual Report of 1946 and I believe this made him the Bedfordshire Association’s longest serving resident member at the time of his death (although not its eldest).
Cliff met his future wife Anne in the tower at Kempston. She played the organ, access to which was via the ringing room, requiring her to walk across the rope circle! They had been married for 57 years when Anne sadly passed away in 2013. Cliff and Ann were members of the Bedfordshire Young Ringers, a group that toured annually on bikes and stayed in Youth Hostels, and in later life they regularly supported the reunion tours organised by Michael Stephens. Their three daughters, Judith, Helen, and Gill, all became competent ringers.
Cliff served as Tower Captain at Kempston from 1974 to 2010, a period of some 36 years. During this time, he master-minded and managed the project in 1978 to have the bells rehung in a new ten-bell frame, designing the entire installation, including the pattern for casting the frame sides, then assembling it at the premises of J Hobkirk and Sons, a local engineering firm, and installing it. He later in 1981 completed the project with the addition of two trebles, thus (following the augmentations at St Paul’s Bedford and Luton, and the fire at Leighton Buzzard) creating the only ten-bell tower within the Association’s boundaries until the more recent augmentation at Biggleswade. In so doing, Cliff created a facility that has provided opportunities for successive generations of ringers from within the Association’s boundaries and beyond to develop their skills and experience in ringing on higher numbers. Ringing in the area has benefited greatly as a result.
Cliff was never entirely happy with retention of the rather poorly toned 1603 Hugh Watts tenor that was too thin in the crown for tuning, and he had the foresight to design the new frame to incorporate a larger more modern tenor bell in case funds ever permitted. We quite often talked about it, usually after a few pints in the pub following a peal when it always seemed a lot more possible! So, when in 2017 and with the help of David Kelly and the Keltek Trust, I finally identified a couple of suitable bells to replace the old tenor and 7th, Cliff was first to enthusiastically embrace the idea. We ultimately decided on a ‘second bite at the cherry’ with a more extensive scheme to improve the dynamics and tonal qualities of the bells, and in 2019 the entire ring was remodelled. Cliff, by then in his late 80s was in his element; once again actively involved in removing and transporting the bells, painting the frame, and then the rehanging. I think in some ways it all gave him a new lease of life, although we were rather cautious about informing his daughters about quite how extensively and physically involved, he actually was!
Cliff was an Honorary Life member of the Bedfordshire Association and he very ably served as its Technical Advisor for a number of years. Although always a loyal supporter of the Association’s activities, his contributions were mostly as a grass roots ringer who created the facilities and ringers that made good and enjoyable ringing possible for a significant number and wide range of people, more than in any official capacity. He was proud to be a member of the Ancient Society of College Youths. He was elected in 1975, proposed by Stephen Ivin and seconded by Bob Piron and rang five peals with the society, all of them in Bedfordshire.
Encouraged by the significantly improved ‘go’ of the bells following the 1978 restoration, Cliff developed and held together a strong and active local band over a considerable period of time. He taught numerous people to handle a bell, including his three daughters, and he provided the opportunities and encouraged many of them, and others, to progress to greater things.
Throughout his time as Tower Captain, the bells were rung regularly for two Sunday services, almost without exception, and the Wednesday practices were very popular; regularly attended by visitors from across the county and beyond. Cliff never overlooked the social side of ringing, understanding its importance in maintaining a strong and active band. Consequently, he encouraged and ensured the support needed to maintain both the quantity and quality of ringing at Kempston. Memorable nights in the Three Horseshoes (variously known as the Green Pig or Denis’s) and the legendary Kempston coach outings were all an important part of the attraction that would never have been possible without Cliff (along with Anne to keep him in order!) So too, the New Year’s Eve ringing and partying at Clive Parrott’s cottage on the edge of the Churchyard,
For a number of years Cliff also ran the Friday night practices at Cardington, taking over from Michael Orme when he moved from the area. They provided a significant number of people with an opportunity to take their first steps in ringing a range of Surprise Major methods; also, to participate in the now legendary après-ringing sessions in the Five Bells at Cople!
Beyond Cliff’s dedication to ringing at tower and local level, that was unquestionably his priority, he was a superb ringer who took part in some of the Association’s best and highest-level performances. He was a key participant in Stephen Ivin’s 1975 London Major peal week, ringing in 8 of the 10 peals, and he also rang in a number of the more advanced performances at St Paul’s Bedford including the early peals of London, Bristol, and Clyde Surprise Royal. Cliff’s skills in ringing the tenor behind (mostly to Triples and Caters) were second to none, and I have been privileged to conduct and participate in a significant number of peals where Cliff on the tenor, along with Anne on the treble, provided a winning formula and the framework for some of the most enjoyable ringing that I have done. In addition to Kempston, I have particularly fond memories of peals at Wimborne Minster, Maidstone, Appleton, Hook Norton, and Southwold, amongst others.
Cliff rang a total of 264 peals, 238 of them for the Bedfordshire Association. His first was the treble to three minor methods at Kempston (4 Jan 1947) conducted by Cyril Prindiville. He rang in the last peal on the six, also his father’s first peal, (15 Nov 1947) and they both rang in the first peal following augmentation, Plain Bob Major, 11 Dec 1948, conducted by Ernest Freeman. Cliff eventually rang 54 peals at Kempston, his leading tower, followed by St Paul’s Bedford (38). His leading methods are perhaps a reflection of his conservative tastes and preference for quality before complexity; Grandsire Caters and Triples (32 each), London S Major (23) and Cambridge S Royal (21). A significant number of the 29 people who rang their first peal with Cliff were taught by him, with a couple of notable exceptions: Stephen Ivin, and Bob Piron. His leading ringers were Anthony Smith (126) his wife Anne (89), Charlotte Smith (84), Stephen Stanford (81) and his daughter Helen (71). His leading conductors were Anthony Smith (59), Stephen Ivin (48) and Stephen Stanford (42). One of Cliff’s peals was with fellow members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, rung on the 12 at Melbourne, organised and conducted by Bob Smith. He was also honoured to have rung peals for the late Queen’s Coronation, Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees (this his last peal), all on the old tenor at Kempston. He also took part in ringing for her Platinum Jubilee, preceded by an appearance on national television, and in memorial ringing following her death. By the time of the Coronation of King Charles he was no longer able to climb the stairs, but was delighted to complete the job by chiming a bell from the ground floor.
Cliff had a passion for good beer, proper pubs (not the modern sort) and good company, with visits to Hook Norton and Southwold featuring regularly in his itinerary. He had fortunately been able to enjoy a week in Southwold with his family just a couple of months before he died.
Beyond ringing, Cliff was keenly interested in astronomy. Following retirement, he became a member of the Bedford Astronomical Society providing access to the observatory at Bedford School. The Suffolk coast near Dunwich with limited light pollution was a good spot for astronomical observations; also, conveniently close to Southwold of course! His other interests included his large well-kept garden, and his extensively-equipped workshop, the source of all kinds of expertly crafted DIY and other gadgets ranging from trigger-action clappers for Sanctus bells that we installed at All Saints Bedford and Kempston, to a wonderful working scale model steam engine, not forgetting the weathervane with pride of place on the garage roof.
During his final few weeks, Cliff was lovingly and very well cared for by his daughters, wider family, and professional care workers. He had decided against further treatment and faced his death courageously and with great fortitude, taking care to ensure that his family and friends were prepared, and appropriate arrangements were in place. On my visits, although he was clearly very frail, he remained unchanged; seemingly peaceful and always interested to know about the latest developments at Kempston Church and with the ringing, details of the Bedford project, and happily remembering old times. His wry sense of humour and mischievous sense of fun were evident until the end. He was amused to see the weathervane that fell down during the recent gales and quick to point out that it’s replacement might be an insurance job!
Cliff’s passing sadly marks the end of an era at Kempston that it has been a tremendous privilege to be part of. As I climbed the tower to fly the flag for Christmas, there were so many poignant reminders of him. The peal board above the door at the base of the tower (a memorial to Clive Parrott), his professional and detailed engineering drawing of the bell frame hanging on the ringing chamber wall (no CAD in those days), the many photos and peal boards bearing his name, the old tenor wheel mounted on the wall brackets that he made specially for the job, the multiple sliding trapdoor that he devised, the bell frame that he designed and built with the 1978 and 2019 painting dates in Cliff’s hand, the ingenious platform over the 9th to reach the tower roof designed and constructed by Cliff, the trapdoor and its hand-written warning notice to avoid busting the hinges, and finally the flagpole that he acquired from a local house-building site and erected. All these things, the example that he set, and memories of the good times that he gave to so many of us will remain a fitting and lasting tribute to him. He did us all proud and will be sorely missed.