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Alastair Fretwell-Downing
ALWAYS to be seen with a camera, buttonhole and brilliant tie, the impeccably-dressed Alastair Fretwell-Downing, who has died aged 66, was one of the most flamboyant and colourful members of Sheffield's business community.
He and his longstanding business colleague and friend, Peter Bennett-Keenan, vied with each other to outdo Beau Brummel, and when the Sheffield branch of Austin Reed moved into new premises, Peter volunteered Alastair to pose for the local paper wearing the store's latest fashions, including its rainbow-coloured, explosively-patterned ties. He was never seen in a dreary tie again.
Alastair was the younger of two sons. Their father Frank established a well-known Sheffield catering company in 1927 which ran the Cutlers Feast for 50 years and took over Whirlowbrook Hall for event catering. It also owns the Maynard Arms at Grindleford, Derbyshire.
A single-minded individual who never accepted the second best, it seems likely that Alastair inherited these character traits from his mother, Ruth, who persuaded their father to overcome his reservations about putting their boys through private school. He sent them to Birkdale School in Sheffield and later to St. Edward's School, Oxford.
It was here, when he was head of house and captain of boats, that Alastair's authority and style were developed. Too slight to be a rower, he coxed with great success, both at St Edward's and, after winning a place at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, to read politics, philosophy and economics, for his college
He became a member of Leander and in recent times sponsored the Teddy Hall ladies VIII.
Ruth and Frank were lovers of classical music and founder members of the Sheffield Philharmonic Society, and it is against this background that Alastair took up, and excelled on the cello and classical guitar.
His creativity and artistry would also find expression in photography, an enthusiasm betrayed by his customary appearance with a camera.
He sailed with the training ship, the Sir Malcolm Miller, and took up water skiing, continuing to be active in the sport into his 40s.
Alastair joined the family catering business in 1963, and conscious of his father's precarious health, persuaded his brother Anthony to give up his teaching career at Oundle School in favour of helping him secure the family business.
Alastair negotiated a wide range of profitable Royal openings and industrial contracts. The business thrived, but struggled during the miners' strike and power cuts of Edward Heath's three-day week. Alastair's charisma and skill in public relations helped keep it going. In 1977 that skill was put to the test when gales nearly blew down the marquee set up for the 1,000 people attending the Burma Star War Veterans dinner, and those who could not be served had to be pacified and entertained.
In 1973 he fell in love with Jane Micklethwaite who had joined the family firm, marrying her in 1983 at Ranmoor Church.
The Cutlers Hall business collapsed in September 1980 and luxury catering became unfashionable. But by then Alastair had supported his brother Anthony when he took off in a completely different direction, setting up computer companies, the success of which sustained the catering business following its inability, in 1994, to retain the Cutlers Company catering concession.
Alastair is survived by his wife Jane.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at St. John's Church, Ranmoor, Sheffield on Wednesday, June 10, at 2.30pm. Inquiries to Jason Heath, John Heath and Sons, Sheffield (0114) 272 2222.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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