The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7276 p726-727
22 November 2003

Society summary

Barnes On 19 August, Robert Joseph Barnes, MRPharmS, of 4 Moorland Rise, Haslingden, Rossendale, Lancashire BB4 6UA. Mr Barnes registered in 1965 (see Tribute).

Brockbank On 11 August, Isabel Veitch Brockbank, née Dalton, of 72 Granville Road, Carlisle CA2 7BA. Mrs Brockbank registered in 1933 and retired from the register in 1967.

Brocklehurst On 12 August, Fred Brocklehurst, MRPharmS, of 1 Fox Hill Gardens, Upper Norwood, London SE19 2XB. Mr Brocklehurst registered in 1935.

Caswill On 3 October, Arthur Hellier Caswill, MRPharmS, of 43 Biddington Way, Honiton, Devon EX14 2GU. Mr Caswill registered in 1947.

Coles On 10 October, Charles Coles, of 49 Copheap Rise, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 0AR. Mr Coles registered in 1939 and retired from the register in 1988.

Collins On 24 October, Frances Geraldine Collins, MRPharmS, of 50 Cambria Close, Caerleon, Newport, Gwent NP18 1LF. Dr Collins registered in 1978. She was deputy chief pharmaceutical adviser, National Assembly for Wales (see Tribute).

Crowther Recently, James Robert Crowther, MRPharmS, of 161 Butts Hill Road, Woodley, Reading RG5 4NX. Mr Crowther registered in 2002.

Gill On 8 October, Ronald Gill, MRPharmS, of “Pelaw Rise”, Leazes Road, Durham DH1 1TS. Mr Gill registered in 1954.

Greatrex On 20 June, John Wilfred Devereux Greatrex, MRPharmS, of “Crantock”, 81 Cardiff Road, Dinas Powis, South Glamorgan CF64 4JT. Mr Greatrex registered in 1983.

Hall On 7 August, Frederick Charles Hall, MRPharmS, of 16 Whitefoot Lane, Bromley BR1 5SJ. Mr Hall registered in 1964.

Jacobs On 10 October, Muriel Mary Jacobs, MRPharmS, of Flat 2, Serene Park Retirement Centre, PO Box 600, Garsfontein, Pretoria 0042, South Africa. Mrs Jacobs registered in 1967.

Lake On 30 October, Alfred George Lake, MRPharmS, of “Harleyford”, Southerton, Ottery St Mary, Devon EX11 1SD. Mr Lake registered in 1962.

Locatell On 5 October, Alan Martin Locatell, MRPharmS, of 16 West Way, Clevedon, Avon BS21 7XN. Mr Locatell registered in 1937.

Mackie On 14 May, James Taylor Mackie, MRPharmS, of 26 Whitehill Place, Stirling FK8 2HH. Mr Mackie registered in 1961.

May On 14 October, Josephine Barker May, MRPharmS, of 76 Cumbrian Way, Burnley, Lancashire BB12 8UN. Dr May registered in 1979.

Morris On 13 September, Roy Neal Morris, MRPharmS, of 19 Windmill Lane, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1EY. Mr Morris registered in 1934.

Morrow On 31 October, Charles Patrick Morrow, MRPharmS, of 6 Stephenson Way, York YO26 4XQ. Mr Morrow registered in 1951.

Munro On 14 October, Eileen Ruby Munro, MRPharmS, of 6 Dansie Close, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset BH14 0LN. Mrs Munro registered in 1943.

New On 4 October, Brian New, MRPharmS, of “Kibworth House”, 76 Leicester Road, Kibworth Harcourt, Leicester LE8 0NN. Mr New registered in 1956.

Nutt In October, Geoffrey William Nutt, MRPharmS, of “The Grange”, Syston Court, Mangotsfield, Bristol BS16 9LU. Mr Nutt registered in 1947.

Palmer In October, John Malcolm Palmer, MRPharmS, of 12A Barton Close, Landrake, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 5BA. Mr Palmer registered in 1942.

Rutter On 24 October, John Stanley Rutter, MRPharmS, of Tyspane Nursing Home, Lower Park Road, Braunton, Devon EX33 2LH. Mr Rutter registered in 1931.

Sharp On 2 November, Keith Edward Sharp, MRPharmS, of “Mayfield House”, Blissford, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2JH. Mr Sharp registered in 1967.

Sheppard On 14 October, Douglas Herbert Sheppard, MRPharmS, of “Cuckoo Hill”, Deans Drive, Lytchett Matravers, Poole, Dorset BH16 6EQ. Mr Sheppard registered in 1931.

Synge On 1 October, Kasmir Albert Synge, MRPharmS, of 30 Blenheim Gardens, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7NP. Mr Synge registered in 1970.

Thomas On 26 September, Harold Thomas, of 15 Furnace Terrace, Pontyberem, Llanelli, Dyfed SA15 5AE. Mr Thomas registered in 1941 and retired from the register in 2000.

Tinsley On 27 October, Frederick Tinsley, MRPharmS, of Grange Manor Nursing Home, 348 Grange Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 2UD. Mr Tinsley registered in 1942.

Wardman On 18 September, John Edward Brian Wardman, of 5 Meadow Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2TD. Mr Wardman registered in 1955 and retired from the register in 1989.

Wilkinson On 6 July, Eric Wilkinson, MRPharmS, of 24 Prairie Crescent, Burnley BB10 1EU. Mr Wilkinson registered in 1942.

Williams On 6 May, Nesta Williams, of “Bryn Melyn”, Rhostryfan, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 7ND. Miss Williams registered in 1947 and retired from the register in 1999 (see Tribute).

Wilson In September, Peter Wilson, MRPharmS, of PO Box 23-261, Cable Car Lane, Wellington, New Zealand. Mr Wilson registered in 1980.

Wilson On 13 September, John Wilson, MRPharmS, of Anchormount, Alpine Street, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire DG5 4HH. Mr Wilson registered in 1954 after studying pharmacy in Edinburgh following an apprenticeship with Boots in Castle-Douglas from 1947. He started his own business in Dalbeattie in 1967, eventually retiring from business in 1991

Tribute

Barnes In a tribute to the late Robert Joseph Barnes, Dr JAMES REYNOLDS writes:

Bob Barnes and I were students together at Edinburgh and even though our careers took different paths we remained friends ever after. From his student days he was certain that he wanted to be a pharmacist in the community in which he had been born and raised — an ambition he achieved with distinction. He was born in Haslingden, he practised there all his life and he died there surrounded by his family.

Bob dispensed wise advice, sympathy and humour as well as medicines to generations of patients. Nothing seemed too much trouble for him. I would come away from visits to Bob stimulated by the way he served his community.

That his service was much appreciated was evident at his funeral service where the church was packed, with people standing in the porch, in the churchyard and along the street outside. He had chosen his own readings and hymns, so in a sense he was saying his farewell to us. Even then he managed to make us smile, for as the curtains closed on his coffin at the crematorium, from the speakers came the strains of the Dambusters’ March (he was an old war movies buff). As the woman from the undertakers said, he was a lovely man.

Button In a tribute to the late Evelyn Plummer Button (PJ, 20 September, p389), ARTHUR WILLIAMS writes:

I was saddened to learn of the death of Evelyn Button at the great age of 95 years after a gloriously long retirement. Although small in stature, Evelyn was a major figure in the world of hospital pharmacy over many years.

Hospital pharmacy in the 1950s and 1960s in Manchester tended to be dominated by such luminaries as Bill Phillipson, John Lloyd and Bert Smith (chief pharmacists of the major hospitals). Evelyn was not in the least overawed even by their combined might and always punched above her weight. Ancoats Hospital (a small inner city hospital) was for Evelyn a true centre of excellence. Her feisty relationships with all disciplines within the hospital could still be a model for us all today.

When I was a relatively new entrant into hospital pharmacy, Evelyn provided me with some sound and reliable advice. This enabled me to enter the somewhat arcane corridors of hospital pharmacy politics with a degree of confidence. Evelyn’s advice at Guild of Hospital Pharmacists branch delegates’ meetings was always well judged and to the point. This advice was based on her great knowledge of procedural matters and the idiosyncratic behaviour of the participants. A no-nonsense approach to the issues that faced hospital pharmacists in the difficult days of the 1950s and 1960s was an inspiration. Good outcomes were achieved by a combination of her considerable charm and her fierce determination.

Although hospital pharmacy and Ancoats Hospital were Evelyn’s first love, she greatly enjoyed her home and golf.

Few members of the guild today will have had the privilege of knowing Evelyn, but we all have cause to be grateful for her life and work.

Collins In a tribute to the late Frances Geraldine Collins, CARWEN WYNNE HOWELLS, chief pharmaceutical adviser, National Assembly for Wales, writes:

The untimely death of Fran Collins at the age of 47, after a long, courageous battle against cancer, has robbed the profession of one of its most ardent protagonists, who had a real appreciation of life at the sharp end.

The consummate professional, she was admired for her honesty, integrity and loyalty. An excellent researcher, she had an eye for detail that served her well throughout her career. Patient and tolerant, she was the ideal mentor, constructive in her criticism yet supportive of others.

Fran was a delightful, gentle person with a welcoming smile, keen sense of humour and ability to enjoy life. She worked well with colleagues and was highly regarded both within and outside the office.

Fran and I possessed skills and competencies that complemented each other and we worked well as a team. While I indulged in blue skies thinking she would bring me back to earth. She was a steady and calming influence on me.

Helen (our personal assistant) and I shall miss her terribly. The team will not be the same without her.

Our thoughts are with Fran’s mother, who has lost a devoted daughter and companion, and her brothers and sisters, who are feeling the loss of “their brilliant baby sister”.

Fran’s funeral service was held in Caerleon on 31 October 2003. Donations in her memory may be sent to St Anne’s Hospice, Harding Avenue, Malpas, Newport, Gwent NP20 6ZE.

Gartside In a tribute to the late James Luther Gartside (PJ, 18 October, p565), ARTHUR WILLIAMS writes:

Jim Gartside was the pillar of the north-west region’s hospital pharmaceutical service over many years. His avuncular presence was always welcome at both professional and social events. Jim could always be relied upon to bring his wisdom and experience to the fore but was never over-assertive.

Although Jim’s hospital base (Ashton under Lyne) was outwith central Manchester he was never overwhelmed by the power brokers of the day. As a member of the region’s chief pharmacists’ committee, Jim was the “steady Eddy” who could always be trusted to help clarify difficult problems faced by professionals who did not at that time enjoy full recognition of their role.

The local Guild of Hospital Pharmacists group could always count on Jim’s valuable contribution. In particular Jim was a long serving social secretary. His attention to detail was legendary. He even arranged for the reprinting of tickets for the annual dinner dance when four tickets were lost in the post. Jim was also determined to ensure that the Shrove Tuesday dinner and dance did not make a loss. This was quite a challenge for a small group as the break-even point was sometimes only achieved if more than 200 guests could be persuaded to attend.

All the events Jim organised were a great success and he never incurred a financial loss. On one occasion, when the financial outcome was especially uncertain, Jim was asked by the ballroom manager if the balloons suspended from the ceiling were to be released at midnight. Suspecting there would be a charge Jim asked what the cost would be. The reply came back: “£5, Sir”. Jim’s polite but firm response was: “Leave them where they are.”

Throughout his life Jim enjoyed the wonderful support of his wife and family. His loss will be hugely felt.

Williams In a tribute to the late Nesta Williams, EIRA M. JONES, former chief pharmacist, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, writes:

Nesta Williams died peacefully at the Macmillan Unit, Ysbyty Bryn Seiont, Caernarfon, after a courageous battle against cancer. She had borne her illness with great fortitude — her deep faith, gentleness and humour undimmed.

I was privileged to be her apprentice back in 1952–54 at Boots The Chemists, Caernarfon, and she proved an ideal apprentice master, skillfully guiding and instructing me and my co-apprentice Douglas Parminter. She also encouraged us with enthusiasm for the profession and its role in the care of the sick.

She had an inherent empathy with both the staff and the patients and became a true and lifelong friend to many. This was also apparent when she eventually moved, as manager, to two other community pharmacies in Caernarfon.

The latter years of her career were spent in hospital pharmacy as staff pharmacist in charge at St David’s Hospital, Bangor. Nesta ran the department with her usual skill, and again her kind nature endeared her to all the staff. She was an effective member of both the Gwynedd Hospital Pharmacists Committee and the Gwynedd Pharmacists Committee.

One was always aware of Nesta’s deep love of Wales — its language, history, culture and traditions. This love manifested itself in her involvement in Welsh community activities. Indeed, she was the local historian and had a wealth of knowledge about her locality. The local literature society was a favourite of hers and it greatly benefited from her great interest in Welsh poets and authors.

Her staunch support for Plaid Cymru and Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg [the Welsh Language Society] resulted from a natural and inevitable commitment to the preservation of the Welsh language and nationhood.

Nesta was a deacon and a faithful member of Horeb chapel, Rhostryfan, and superintendent of Libanus Sunday School for many years. Her faith and her beloved family sustained her in her final illness.

I am deeply grateful to have known her and to have had her as a friend all these years, and extend my sympathy to her nieces and their families, and to her sister-in-law Mary, and many friends