Alan Senior

He was also an active member of his local village of Scholes, near Leeds, and a keen walker which led him to write a book Walks around Barwick in Elmet and Scholes which is still in print.

He was born George William John Senior but preferred to be called Alan as he liked the name, and was always known as G W J Alan. He was the younger child of Wilfrid and May Senior of Scholes. His father was an insurance agent and his mother a teacher. His older sister predeceased him.

He was educated at Scholes Primary School from where he gained a scholarship to Leeds Grammar School. When he left there in 1948 he served his National Service in the RAF at a number of stations around the country, before finishing at Yeadon, on the outskirts of Leeds.

After leaving the RAF, he went to work in the finance department at Leeds General Infirmary which was the beginning of a 40-year career in the National Health Service. He went on to work at Leeds Maternity Hospital before becoming manager at the city’s Dental Hospital. He was also a founder member of the Northern Group of Hospitals.

He retired in 1990 and, in the same year, was awarded the MBE for services to dentistry.

Mr Senior was a member of Barwick-in-Elmet and Scholes Parish Council for 25 years and for some years was its chairman.

Although he belonged to a lot of groups, his hobby was walking which led him to write his book in 1993 with a grant from the Countryside Commission. It was printed by Leeds University and by the time he gave up his connection with it the book had made about £3,000 for the parish council. He also ran the local Ainsty walking group.

As a member of the local historical society, he contributed articles to its quarterly magazine The Barwicker.

He was also a former vice-president of Scholes Scout Group and of Wetherby District Scouts.

In 1955 he married his wife Evelyn whom he had known since he was six when she sat behind him at primary school.

Mr Senior is survived by his wife, sons Michael and Peter, and grandchildren of Ellie, Anna and William.

ENDS