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Douglas Southwick
A FORMER chairman of Humberside County Council, Douglas Southwick, had a career which combined farming, running a pub and being a bookmaker.
Douglas, who has died aged 83, farmed all his life at Skipsea Grange Farm, Leys Farm and finally Village Farm. He was also landlord of the Board Inn, Skipsea, for 10 years, and local bookmaker for surrounding villages.
A jovial man with a twinkle in his eye, he kept open house and received a constant stream of visitors, either bringing him their problems or just to have a chat.
He lived almost all his life in Skipsea and was a founder member of the Skipsea Village Hall Committee. He regularly cut the grass in the churchyard, where he was eventually to be buried, and was a familiar sight riding through the village on his mower.
He was a member of Skipsea Parish Council – indeed he was known as "Mr Skipsea" – and the former Bridlington Rural District Council and East Riding of Yorkshire County Council. His council career culminated in his chairmanship of the former Humberside County Council.
His boundless energy and enthusiasm were always directed towards the communities he loved, respected and served.
A lifelong supporter of the local Conservatives, he was East Riding constituency chairman for the late Lord Holderness (formerly Richard Wood MP), and John Townend MP, and was awarded the OBE in 1987 New Year's Honours List for political service to the community.
There are not many Conservative supporters in East Yorkshire who had not attended one of his famed "supper clubs" which attracted people from all political persuasions, and where his renowned raffles were – in his words – "the only part that makes any money".
Douglas, the owner of a 1932 MGJ2 Midget sports car, belonged to the MG Car Club, and he restored a Leyland Cub Fire Engine that had belonged to Aberdeen Fire Brigade which was sent to Gordonstoun School to give extra cover when Prince Charles was a pupil there.
He was a Past Master of Alexandra Lodge 1511 of Freemasons and a member of Hornsea (East Riding) Probus Club.
He was a true community champion and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Enid whose endless support helped him achieve all his ambitions and to whom he was married for 59 years
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
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