Ronnie Hepworth MBE is a prominent member of Woodbridge Methodist Church and will soon be 100 years old as he celebrates his birthday on 8th July. He is still physically fit playing 9 holes of golf every week with friends from church!
INTERVIEW WITH RONNIE HEPWORTH MBE (Interviewer – Mony Guest)
(Monty’s Note: Until recently Ron was more often known as Ronnie. I have added some comments of my own in italics. All mistakes are mine.)
Where were you born and what are your first memories of childhood?
I was born in the area Old Trafford, Manchester on 8th July 1926. My Dad worked for Ford Motor Company. In 1931 we moved to Upminster because Ford built a larger factory at Dagenham. We lived in Upminster. (This explains why Ronnie supports Manchester United)
What are your memories of school?
I started my school days at Old Trafford High School, then transferred to Upminster Junior School. In 1936 I started at Brentwood School. In 1939 two schools from the East End of London were evacuated to my school in Brentwood, so the boys school joined us.
You served in the RAF. What were your experiences then?
I signed up on D Day 1944, and joined the RAF, initially as a radar mechanic, then I moved to aircrew training. I was assigned to a Flying Boat squadron and was due to be posted to Burma. But because of the war I was sent to Iceland instead – for 13 months. This led to a sudden change of kit necessary to deal with the cold!
I was detailed to deal with Pay and Accounts. I was “demobbed” in January 1948. (And issued with the regulation suit).
What brought you to East Anglia, and Woodbridge in particular?
Upon leaving the RAF, I joined my uncle’s company in Manchester, working as an articled clerk. I specialised in tax law and qualified as a Chartered Tax Advisor. In 1965 I saw an advert for a tax advisor for Fisons. At that time their headquarters were in Harvest House, Felixstowe. We bought a house in Station Road, Woodbridge. (About 200yards from his present flat by chance).
You were awarded an MBE in 2012. What was that distinction for?
The Award was for “Service to the Woodbridge Community”. I was chairman of the Woodbridge MenCap Society, Woodbridge Day Centre, organised the transport rota for what is now the Gateway Club. And set up an accounting system (which is still working after 25 years) for the Charity for ex-servicemen, SSAFA. I was also a Governor for Woodbridge Primary School.
You and your late wife Jenny were married at Woodbridge Methodist Church in 1986 and moved into Farlingaye Hall. You two travelled extensively. What countries did you visit and which impressed you the most?
We visited China and India, the United States several times, Canada, Israel (with Revd Mike Cassidy), The most memorable was a cruise up the Amazon River to the former capital of the Amazonian region, Manaous. Jenny compiled photo albums of each of our holidays which I still have.
You were majorly involved in the large-scale renovations of Woodbridge Methodist Church and the building of the Octagon. Tell me about some of the highlights of that time under the leadership of Revd David Marshall.
I helped form a Company called Wesley (Woodbridge) Ltd to facilitate the building, the materials, the labour (which was largely volunteers with some specialised trades paid) and importantly recover the VAT. I organised work like cement shovelling, brick laying and even knocking down walls. (I pointed out to Ronnie that Sir Christopher Wren’s epitaph was: “Look Around You”). (I personally saw how Ronnie attacked a wall with a lump hammer).
You are a proud and committed Rotarian, joining the Woodbridge Rotary Club in 1973. Your Rotary club has been involved in many excellent community projects, but I know there was a special international project which you volunteered for.
Yes, in December 1980 Vesuvius blew its top. (Mount St Helens and Mount Etna were also very active at this time). There was an immediate need for temporary accommodation in the area and region. The Italian government purchased about 100 caravans from a company in Cambridge. Members of Rotary and other Service clubs answered the call to take them to Italy, escorted across the continent by the AA. I towed one of them, with a car loaned by the wife of the headteacher of Farlingaye High School, to Salerno, just south of Naples in Italy. (Nowadays Rotary supports Shelter Boxes which provide temporary accommodation).
Finally, the traditional question asked by newspaper reporters is: “To what would you attribute your longevity to?”.
Trying to keep fit. And never giving up. (I think he means Persistence! Ron also added with a twinkle in his eye: “also belonging to WMC”)
