A PONTELAND man who played an active part in many of the village's clubs and events died peacefully in hospital on July 22 aged 78. Dick Dodsworth was born in Yorkshire in 1930 and moved North with his father when he got a job working for Donald Ireland at his nursery in Edgehill, Darras Hall.
After completing National Service he worked for the Blood Transfusion Service in Newcastle, where he met his wife, Margaret, and they went on to live in Gosforth.
With his brother-in-law, Mr Dodsworth set up a greengrocer business and eventually they ran a number of shops in Newcastle.
It was in the late 1950s that Derrick, known as Dick, and Margaret began to take part in social activities in Ponteland, and this prompted their move to a house in North Road, Ponteland, in 1964.
He joined the Rotary Club and the Golf Club and became President and Captain respectively, while he was also for some time on the management committee and a Trustee for the Ponteland Memorial Hall.
In 1977 the couple started holding Domino Drives to help raise funds for charity, and they were popular, often involving up to 200 people.
A year later Mr Dodsworth was among the group who re-established the Ponteland Flower Show, still held annually in September, and he helped to initiate the Memorial Hall Leek Club.
Not content with organising, he often carried off prizes with his gladioli and other blooms, leeks and onions.
Mr Dodsworth was involved in other activities, including the annual Christmas Arts Ball at the Ponteland Memorial Hall, and his efforts were recognised by Ponteland Parish Council in 2002 when he was awarded an inscribed crystal trophy in recognition of his service to the community.
Castle Morpeth Borough Council also recognised his input and presented him with a Meritorious Service Certificate.
He could be seen regularly in Ponteland Park walking his golden retriever, Squire.
Mr Dodsworth's wife died in 1997.
His cremation took place yesterday (29th July 2009) at the West Road Crematorium, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving in St Mary's Church, Ponteland.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Marie Curie Hospice, Marie Curie Drive, NE4 6SS.
Source: Morpeth Herald
After completing National Service he worked for the Blood Transfusion Service in Newcastle, where he met his wife, Margaret, and they went on to live in Gosforth.
With his brother-in-law, Mr Dodsworth set up a greengrocer business and eventually they ran a number of shops in Newcastle.
It was in the late 1950s that Derrick, known as Dick, and Margaret began to take part in social activities in Ponteland, and this prompted their move to a house in North Road, Ponteland, in 1964.
He joined the Rotary Club and the Golf Club and became President and Captain respectively, while he was also for some time on the management committee and a Trustee for the Ponteland Memorial Hall.
In 1977 the couple started holding Domino Drives to help raise funds for charity, and they were popular, often involving up to 200 people.
A year later Mr Dodsworth was among the group who re-established the Ponteland Flower Show, still held annually in September, and he helped to initiate the Memorial Hall Leek Club.
Not content with organising, he often carried off prizes with his gladioli and other blooms, leeks and onions.
Mr Dodsworth was involved in other activities, including the annual Christmas Arts Ball at the Ponteland Memorial Hall, and his efforts were recognised by Ponteland Parish Council in 2002 when he was awarded an inscribed crystal trophy in recognition of his service to the community.
Castle Morpeth Borough Council also recognised his input and presented him with a Meritorious Service Certificate.
He could be seen regularly in Ponteland Park walking his golden retriever, Squire.
Mr Dodsworth's wife died in 1997.
His cremation took place yesterday (29th July 2009) at the West Road Crematorium, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving in St Mary's Church, Ponteland.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Marie Curie Hospice, Marie Curie Drive, NE4 6SS.
Source: Morpeth Herald
