Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News > Remembering OV > RICHARD HARWOOD – Former  Deputy Chairman of Governors – a tribute

RICHARD HARWOOD – Former  Deputy Chairman of Governors – a tribute

Featured

Cricket
Richard Harwood died peacefully on 10th June 2019 at the age of 74 after a brave fight against acute myeloid leukaemia.


After a long career in accountancy, Richard and his wife Janet retired to Beaumaris in Anglesey in February 2018 where their Old Veseyan son Charles (1986-92) runs the Prince Llewelyn Bed and Breakfast establishment in Aberffraw with his partner Theresa.


Richard was born on 7th September 1944 to Cherry and Gerald and lived in various houses in Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield whilst attending, as a boarder, Wycliffe College in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Richard played cricket as wicket keeper in one of the less prestigious school teams whilst also carrying out duties as pig foreman, on the school farm, and haircut monitor!


On leaving school at sixteen Richard began training as an accountant and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the mid ‘60’s. Richard as member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for over 50 years. When he contacted the Institute to cancel his membership having retired, he was informed that having been a member for 50 years he was entitled to Life Membership.


Richard and Janet married at All Saints Parish Church in Streetly on 8th September 1967 and Charles was born in October 1973. The family moved to Dutton’s Lane, Canwell, in the summer of 1974 and then onto Bangley Lane in 1999.


Richard left Deloitte’s in 1981 to join up with another accountant called Jim Hart and form Hart Harwood. Hart Harwood became Harwoods, Chartered Accountants, which Richard and Janet ran until retirement in December 2017. Richard was President of the Birmingham and West Midlands Society of Chartered Accountants in 1991/92, chairman of the Professional Standards Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and the genial compere, auctioneer and host of the annual Harwoods Charity Golf Day.


Beyond the accountancy world, Richard was variously Chairman of Canwell Show, deputy Chairman of Governors at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, treasurer of St Peter’s Church, Maney and the Canwell Church. He was to have been the next Mayor of Sutton Coldfield in the early 1970’s but the council was disbanded with the merger into Birmingham. Both Janet and Richard were briefly on the local RNLI fund raising committee in Anglesey.


Whilst still in Sutton, Richard enjoyed cricket umpiring and over the years stood for BVGS U14’s, U15’s, 1st and 2nd XI’s, in the Old Boys matches and Sutton Coldfield Cricket Club 2nd XI on Sundays. Charles relates how his Dad often took him to Villa Park, to his first test match at Edgbaston and how they took 57 wickets together in the U14’s with Charles bowling and Richard umpiring! A standing joke was “howzat Dad? – That’s out son!”


Richard, albeit not an Old Veseyan, was a great friend of the Vesey Community often seen at Vesey concerts and the accountant to the Old Veseyan Association.


In a very personal eulogy, Charles thanked his father for doing a great job as a Dad.


Following a private cremation, a memorial service was held at St Mary’s & St Nicholas’ Church, Beaumaris, Anglesey on Wednesday 26th June 2019 at 1.00 p.m.


The service was conducted by Rev. Richard Adams (OV 1959-67) who resides in Beaumaris.
 

Similar stories

Saturday saw the annual Sports Reunion running alongside a new evening event, the inaugural Music Reunion. More...

Now in its Fourth Year, the annual BVGS Jobs and Careers Fair was held on Friday 7th February 2020. More...

A number of former students returned to school last weekend to assist current students with careers advice as part of th… More...

The first London Old Veseyan social networking event will be held on Tuesday 7th November. More...

Our new Eleven Question interview is on Paul Wallis. Veseyans Rugby Club stalwart and current chairman of the Old Veseya… More...

Most read

Ollie Bardsley (OV2018)

Ollie Bardsley (OV2018) tells us about what life is like at University of Cambridge and his path to becoming a Veterinary Surgeon. More...

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School (BVGs) are celebrating, after the school was ranked 33rd of the nation’s secondary schools in the Sunday Times Parent Po… More...

Have your say

 
This website is powered by
ToucanTech