STOKESLEY PROBUS CLUB

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Brian John Dinsdale
10th July 1948 – 20th February 2025  

Brian was born on the 10th July 1948 in Northallerton and passed away peacefully in JCH on the 20th February aged 76.
A Service led by the Revd. Tessa Stephens was held at St Mary’s Church, Nunthorpe Mon.17th March.
Bob Scott and myself attended. It was packed; a sign of the man.
I arrived 30 minutes early and the car park was full. Bob arrived 60 minutes early so was in the front stalls.
I sat next to Doris: a neighbour from Brian’s first Nunthorpe home.

Brian was a twin. His brother Ken was born 10 minutes after him.
He attended primary schools in Northallerton followed by Allertonshire Secondary School. After leaving school he attended Darlington Technical College and excelled in maths.
He gained employment at NY County Hall Finance Dept. where he met Gillian.
She invited him on a date to the Speedway and marriage followed.
Employment took him to several places across the North before he joined CCC as Assistant Treasurer.
In 1976 he moved to Nunthorpe and their daughter Sarah followed in 1980.
In 1988 Brian became CEO in Hartlepool.

Brian enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a Local Authority Officer. He was Chief Executive Officer in Hartlepool for 15 years.
He played a key role in Regeneration Projects including significant developments at Hartlepool Marina and the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre.
He was instrumental in Hartlepool becoming a Unitary Authority in 1996 which saw the abolition of Cleveland County Council. Services, such as Education and Social Services, were transferred to the Unitary Authority.
Brian left a significant legacy and was held in the highest regard. He was awarded an OBE in 2002

He retired in 2010 after two years as CEO and Consultancy work in Middlesbrough.
He served as Clerk to the Cleveland Fire Authority. He served on the Board at North Tees Hospital.
He worked for the 13 Housing Association. He was a Board Member for several Charities.

 

n 1995 he moved to De Brus Park in Nunthorpe; walking distance to the Golf Club where he became Treasurer.
Brian led an ‘understated’ lifestyle. He was known for his boots, purchased at Tesco and worn on virtually every occasion.
Brian and Gill loved playing Bridge every Saturday night. He was a Member of Rotary.
He completed the first of several Great North Runs in 1997.
He loved family holidays especially to New York.
He had grandchildren in 2012 and 2014 and loved discussing historical issues with them.
He enjoyed gardening especially growing raspberries.
He was once filling his Green Bin but fell in breaking several ribs and couldn’t climb out.

Brian was a committed Christian and a Member of St Mary’s Church where he was an outstanding Treasurer. His Reports were lucid, well-presented and appreciated.
He was highly respected with affection for his support of the Church and its Members.

Brian joined Probus on 15th January 2019 proposed by Maj Chuhan and Bob Scott.
Unfortunately, Brian suffered serious ill-health, Cancer, in 2022.
He received treatment in Southampton and enjoyed remission for a while before the Cancer returned in 2024.
He stood down from membership at the 2024 AGM. He was keen to return so asked to be kept on the regular mailing list so that he was always up-to-date. Brian and Keith: coffee catch-up at Arcadia.

Donations in lieu of flowers were requested for St Mary’s Church. A small Probus donation was given.  

A wake was held at Middlesbrough Golf Club, Brass Castle Lane.
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Mike Irving
29th June 1935 - ?? June 2025

Mike was born in Middlesbrough in 1935 and passed away in June aged 89;
a few days short of his 90th birthday.
A Service, which was streamed, was held for Mike at Banbury Crematorium. on 27th June.
Mike was educated at West Hartlepool Grammar School.
He joined Probus in September 2014 proposed by Alwyn Boulby and Seconded by
Terry Ratcliffe.
He was semi-retired at the time having lived in the area with his wife Lovaine, for 56 years and in Stokesley from the early 90s.
He married Lovaine in 1959 and had two daughters and five grandchildren.
Mike was a qualified Tees Bay River Pilot for 36 years.
He was a midshipman and navigating officer on cargo and passenger ships, colliers and tankers. He was Technical Adviser to Trinity House Pilots Committee.
He listed his interests as Photography and Rotary.
He was a Founder President of Stokesley Rotary Club and in 2012 received a long service award as a Member.
He was a Member of both Redcar and Stokesley Round Tables.
He was a founder Member of SPIOTA (Stokesley Pride in our Town Association) and enjoyed his role as Chairman.
In 1952 Mike achieved the Queen’s Scout Badge and was presented to the
Duke of Edinburgh.
Mike experienced serious health problems through 2021 starting when he was a Speaker on a cruise ship. He collapsed and was admitted to several hospitals. He was diagnosed with sepsis and pneumonia and flown home. Mike recovered in Stokesley but moved with Lovaine to Chipping Norton on 9th June 2021.
He was booked for Probus on the 19th March 2019 to present his Talk on
The Mystery of Easter Island. Unfortunately, that talk was cancelled.
He was a lovely man and great raconteur.

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John Terence Ratcliffe (Terry)

29th December 1937 - 31st July 2025

Terry was born on the 29th Dec.1937 in Lancashire and passed away
on 31st July 2025 aged 87
He spent his school years in Battle passing the 11+
His first job was with Battle Borough Council.
He attended Manchester College of Science and Technology earning a Degree.
He also attended courses at Bradford University.
Then, Terry discovered the Yorkshire Dales and Moors prompting a house move.

He met Judith. They spent most of their time at the Astoria.
They married in Battle in 1956 and honeymooned in Paris.
They spent over 60 years cycling, canoeing, camping, touring Spain, Italy and France.
T&J relocated to the NE living on Cargo Fleet Lane, Earlsdon Ave in Acklam, Seamer and finally in Stokesley from 1966.
Terry was described as unconventional parent. He took his son to London and left him at the Underground. He had a map, some money and a penknife for protection. Survival skills.
Terry filled the lives of his family with experiences such as visiting museums, climbing, baking, knot-making, sharpening knives and playing games with jokes. He loved animals and built a stable for his special passion for horses. He advised the children to be brave but safe.

Terry spent his career as Middlesbrough Borough Engineer and Surveyor.
At 37 he was the youngest ever Chief Borough Engineer serving from 1972 until the abolition of CCC in 1996.
He was well respected for his leadership, management and humour.
Terry Chaired many Regional committees throughout his enterprising career.
Responsibilities included the development of Coulby Newham and Hemlington, new retail spaces, reducing pollution in the Tees, the construction of two multi-story car parks,
the development of the Bus Station and the Crematorium.  
In fact, a little irony; Middlesbrough Crematorium and Chapel opened in 1961.
On Friday 6th September 1985 there was an Official Opening of the extension with a dedication from the Bishop of Whitby.
This is marked with a plaque on the wall outside. Terry’s name is on it as the Borough Engineer and Surveyor. (John Foster’s name is also listed as CEO).
And the wit of our Members:
Chris Lee wondered why Terry had not built it big enough for his own funeral…
and Alwyn Boulby, over a pint in the Black Swan in Stokesley, wondered if Terry might
self-combust in this heat wave.

A Service for Terry was held in St Bede’s Chapel on Thurs. 14th August.
A double session was booked. The Chapel and Annexe room were full.
Friends were watching from outside areas.

John Rhind, Bob Blakey, Alwyn Boulby, Michael Westgarth-Taylor, Chris Lee and myself all attended. (Sorry if I missed anyone).
Terry’s two daughters, four granddaughters and many family members attended.
The Celebrant was Dawn Vincent. She led the main eulogy.

A daughter read a second eulogy and another daughter and granddaughter shared a third one.
Many words and phrases describing Terry were repeated throughout the Service.
He was described as practical, inventive and unstoppable with ingenuity and a love for solving challenges.
He had a passion for cycling including a switch to e-bikes in his 70s and keeping a significant recording log.
He followed a strict Planning regime for everything especially cycling holidays including in India, Vietnam and most of Europe. He learned welding and built his own bicycle frame.
He led the introduction of a cycleway system throughout the Borough including the Joint Cycle and Pedestrian system on Keith Rd. opened by the Transport Minister.
He had a love for people and stories.
His enjoyment of humour and jokes included mischief. He created a Club with two Members. Terry and his friend. He nominated his friend as Secretary and himself as President.
They had an annual awards ceremony.
He would wear a monocle and use clever nicknames for everyone.
He had a passion for reading, research, the outdoors and conversation.
He learned Spanish at night school.
There was a story about Terry and his brother using gunpowder and setting the curtains alight.
He was strong, could bend a 6” nail.             He could rip telephone directories in half.
He was adventurous and loved animals.       
He volunteered at a Farm loving the work with horses.
He enjoyed all aspects of DIY challenges and finding solutions;
including roofing, insulation and heating.

He lived his life with determination, curiosity and the right amount of mischief.
He was an adventurous man leaving us with a grin and lasting memories.

He was a Member of Rotary until the formation of The Other Club.
He featured in the Town Crier Magazine several times including as Rotary President from 2010 to 2011 and receiving a Club Banner from visiting Rotarians from Australia.
Terry joined Probus in March 2011. He was proposed by ??? and Seconded by me.
He stepped down from membership in August 2024 for health reasons with his heart.
Terry’s hobbies were listed as Walking, Cycling, Photography, DIY and travelling in France.

Refreshments were prepared at The Dudley Arms in Ingleby Greenhow.
Donations were requested for Cycling UK. I made a small donation for Probus.

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David Henry Storry

12th May 1933 - 27th September 2025

David was born on the 12th May 1933 in Stockton. He always regretted this because even if he had been a good enough cricketer he still couldn’t have played for Yorkshire.
David died peacefully at home in Kirkby on Sat 27th Sept. aged 92
Family members were by his side: his wife Liz, daughter Joanne, son Richard, 4 grandchildren and a great grandson.

A Committal Service was held at Middlesbrough Crematorium on Friday 24th October for family members. This was followed by a Thanksgiving Service for David held at
St Augustine’s Church in Kirkby. Donations in lieu of flowers were requested in aid of the Church. I made a small donation on behalf of Probus.
I attended with Colin Hinton, John and Jean Richardson, Malcolm and June D’Arcy, Maria Humphrey and Gordon Hetherington.

The Service followed a nautical theme with stories about David’s interests in sailing and rowing. We had the ‘perils on the sea’ hymn and Rod Stewart with ‘Sailing’.
We had a poem on ‘Waves’ and another on all the ‘moments’ when David would be missed. Richard Storry related several stories.

David loved Fast Cars. Not Ferraris, just fast saloon cars.
He loved to occupy the outside lane and go for it.
He was once in an outside lane but spotted a police car in his mirror. So, he cut across the motorway and exited into an estate. He passed a house with the garage door open, pulled in and stayed for 20 minutes escaping capture.
But, he was caught speeding numerous times and achieved 9 penalty points.
He did help the Police on occasion. For example, following a robbery the Police did a Blue light visit to his home, took him to Northallerton and asked him to value the recovered goods. Then Blue lighted him home. ‘The goods were worthless’ he said.
David loved Fast boats. In the 1950s when he was training to be a Chartered Surveyor, he joined a Rowing Club in Co. Durham. In 1958 he won a rowing competition and held several titles into the 60s. When he retired from competition he continued support for the Club by funding activities. In 2009 the Club asked him if he could help with a promising female rower. He did and she went on to win an Olympic Gold medal – Cath Copeland.

He bought a 29’ sailing yacht; the Gypsy King and enjoyed sailing around France.
He spent 10 years with new boats, including speed boats.
David loved Fine Wine. He developed his interest through the 70s and 80s. He had a cellar built into his Seamer home and every subsequent property he owned. He travelled to France and befriended a Winery buying 600 bottles at a time. He came to a deal with Barker and Stonehouse for transport home. At one VAT visit, the Inspector could hardly believe the cellar was personal consumption and not a Business.   

I chatted with a friend from my NYCC and R&C volunteer days. He lives in Kirkby and said that David loved racing around on his tractor crossing fields and through the village.
Chatting with another lady going back to the Car Park: she told me that she was a former employee of David’s. “He was a lovely man, funny and friendly. He organised a Christmas Lunch every year for all staff. He paid for all the meals, drinks and transport.”

David joined Probus at the AGM on 16th April 2013 proposed by John Richardson
(couldn’t read the Seconder).

David was a Member of many Clubs including The Round Table from 1960 to 1973, Rotary from 1972 to 1987 and the 41 Club. He listed his hobbies as Wine, Croquet, Golf, Sailing and Rowing (Remember he sponsored the Jasmine Harrison talk ‘Rowing the Atlantic’ on 21st May 2024 with a £100 donation)

Richard Storry finished with the line “A life well-lived”. Indeed.

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