Baron Eccleston was a far deeper and knowledgeable character than a first acquaintance would lead you to believe.

Outwardly Baron was a mature, if not a little eccentric, gentleman. For those of us who knew him from Moor Hall Golf Club, the Old Veseyan Golf Society or the Old Veseyan Shaggy Dogs we gradually became aware of further hidden depths. But it was in the tributes paid to him by his sons at his recent funeral that his real character was revealed.

As a teenager Baron lived with his family in South Africa and it was probably here that his love for nature both animal and vegetable was born. The recollection of travel stories with his brother Peter inspired his children to explore the world beyond the West Midlands.

Back in England, Baron studied as a dentist at Sheffield University and ran a successful dentist practice locally to Sutton for many years prior to his retirement.

It was at Sheffield that Baron met Margaret a native Sheffield nurse, who was to become his wife. Subsequent arrivals were David, Richard and Fiona all Old Veseyans in their own right and it is as a father and later as a grandfather that Baron will remain in the hearts of the family.

Many local people will have enjoyed Margaret and Baron’s garden in Little Sutton Lane which they opened to the public in aid of charity. It was testimony to their hard work and joint love of gardening that invited so many admiring remarks.

Funnily enough, Baron was often spotted toiling away in the garden by golfers making their way up the eighteenth fairway at Moor Hall Golf Club. That is, of course, when Baron wasn’t playing golf himself.

Baron was man of considerable intellect and his daily ritual would include crosswords and Sudoku. He loved watching cricket and rugby on television and would often umpire and referee from his armchair even disagreeing with on-field decisions!

In retirement Margaret and Baron have travelled extensively to the Far East, Africa, North and South America and Norway. Either one or both of them were invariably seen at Moor Hall Golf Club each week.

The Old Veseyan Association, Moor Hall Golf Club and the Old Veseyan Shaggy Dogs Luncheon Club will be the poorer for Baron’s passing.

Baron’s funeral took place at Streetly Crematorium on Tuesday 1st October 2019 with a gathering at Moor Hall Golf Club afterwards

Our sympathies are with the family.