A few months ago I was invited to attend an Axminster Rotary Club lunch in the Conservative Club. It transpired that the club didn't have a speaker that day and wondered if I could give the Rotarians a brief talk.

I'm sure that I could have spoken on a number of topics, but I had noticed that displayed on a wall of the dining area was a list of Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Axminster. I was able to recollect most of them – so I decided to speak briefly on each of the Past Presidents.

However, it staggered me that I was listed as the president of the Rotary Club in 1982 and that since the club's inception in 1960, when it first started and would have received its "Charter", all the Club Presidents before me had passed away - DIED!

I always considered that the club's "Charter" was 1960 – however the list exhibited on the wall commenced with the first President in 1959 /1960.

Jim Matthews 1959 - 1960

I couldn't remember much about Jim Matthews, but assume that he was the ironmonger operating from Buckland House in Axminster. Strangely, there were two Matthews' ironmongers in South Street, the other being run by the redoubtable Charlie Pengilly, where the Golden House Chinese Restaurant now resides. We all knew this ironmongers as "Corner Matthews" – a treasure trove of myriads of boxes of hardware, which customers could sift through at their leisure.

Freddie Kett 1960 – 1961

I always thought that Freddie Kett was the first President of the Rotary Club – but it appears that Jim Matthews beat him to it. Freddie Kett was an architect, with a fine reputation. In the decades after the war, until probably the 1980s, most of the notable buildings in the town were designed by Freddie Kett.

When Freddie was President, the club met on Friday lunchtimes, in the Adam Room, the delightful first floor function room at the George Hotel. I seem to remember that following the Rotary meeting, at least half a dozen Rotarians would continue their conviviality in the "snug" bar, at the rear of the ground floor. I don't believe much business was conducted by this group of Rotarians for the remainder of Friday afternoons!

Bruce Beckingsale 1961 – 1962

Bruce Beckingsale was a well-respected solicitor in the firm of Beviss and Beckingsale, working from the Law Chambers in Silver Street – the original home of Thomas Whitty, the pioneer of Axminster carpets. Bruce Beckingsale was a tall, slim man, with a wicked sense of humour, which stood him in good stead, when defending clients in the local Magistrates Court. Bruce lived in Kilmington, where together with his wife, Philippa, he was very much part of the village.

J.R.E. (Roy) Shand 1962-1963

Roy Shand was the son of James Henry Shand, who relocated his machine tool business from London to Axminster during World War Two. Shands was the second largest employer in Axminster (after Axminster Carpets) and was located on the large site at the west of the town, now occupied by Tesco and the residential area of Shand Park.

Shands manufactured machine tools for the type industry and made products for use by a range of manufacturing companies. In the 1970s, the company, who were then linked closely with the Staveley Group, closed their site in West Street and other small businesses involving plastic injection moulding and electro-chemical machining were established at the Industrial Estate on Millwey Rise, under the names of Nu-Type and Key-Tech.

The "JHS" (James Henry Shand) signs depicted in the wrought ironwork, still remain adjacent to the footway leading into the town up Anchor Hill.

I didn't know Roy Shand, but my uncle worked closely with him, in the construction of the original Shands factory, built after World War Two.

Norman Cawley 1963 – 1964

Norman Cawley, together with his brother Lewis, were sons of Harry Cawley, who developed and operated Axe Vale Laundries, whose site neighboured the original Axminster Cricket Field at North Street. At one time, Axe Vale Laundries was a thriving business, but the modern era beckoned – and with the advent of washing machines and tumble driers in most households, Axe Vale Laundries closed in the 1980s.

Bill Beavis 1964 – 1965

When I returned to Axminster in 1970 to run the family building business, Bill Beavis was manager of the builders' merchants "Devon Trading". This company then became UBM (United Builders Merchants) and then Jewsons, which eventually closed and is now the site where we have Moleavon.

Bill Beavis had a son, Martin who was in the same class as me at Grammar School. In our class, Martin and I usually vied for top performer in maths. I hadn't heard about Martin for many years – but I eventually learned that Martin and his wife had triplet sons!

Alan Eyre 1965 - 1966

Alan Eyre was a wool broker, fundamentally sourcing wool for the production of Axminster carpets. Although 80 per cent of the high quality wool used for Axminster carpets was British, Alan Eyre also imported wool from abroad – particularly New Zealand. Alan and his family lived for many years in the magnificent property known as Axehill in Chard Road. Ultimately, Alan and his wife Jenny, retired to live in a bungalow, sited only a matter of 200 yards away from their former residence of Axehill.

Frank Rowe

Frank Rowe 1966 - 1967

I have mentioned Frank Rowe, on a number of occasions within "Moulding's Memories". He was a larger than life character in many ways – not least in his portly girth, which caused him and his friends endless amusement. Frank was the Lord of the Manor, which residents of Axminster recognised and appreciated – as this role enabled Frank to support a number of charities and organisations: Axminster Market, the Axe Vale Hunt, Axminster Church, St Mary's Hospital, the Operatic Society, and the Masonic Lodge, amongst several others, including the Rotary Club.

Frank was the proprietor of R&C Snell, Auctioneers and Estate Agents, sited in the centre of Trinity Square. The huge desk in his office and the floor area, were strewn with papers and memorabilia – but Frank knew precisely where everything was. Some of the papers on his desk related to the Rotary Club, as I seem to remember that Frank was secretary for a number of years.

John White 1967 – 1968

John White was head-teacher of Axminster Secondary School for many years, following the reign of Mr Tolchard. J D White was nicknamed "JED", due to his initials and was the very opposite of the disciplinarian Herby Tolchard. John was amiable and a trifle quirky, but still respected by his students.

John and his wife Jean retired to live in a lovely converted barn at Ford, near Stockland, where my building construction firm carried out extensive adaptations.

Alan Lodge 1968 – 1969

Alan Lodge was a tall, slim man with an impish sense of humour, and was one half of the two Axminster Rotarians who ran the department store/outfitters of Frederick Baker in Trinity Square. This store operated at the same time as Edwin Dawkins (just up the road), but there seemed to be room for both of them to trade successfully from the forties to the seventies. This imposing building became Fields (which still trades in Sidmouth) for many years and has recently been exquisitely converted by "Axminster Property" and has become Lou La Belle, Crafty Hobbitt, Community Waffle House and Archway Bookshop.

Ken Hole 1969 - 1970

I have to say that I can't remember Ken Hole and hope that one of my readers may help me out? However, I remember his wife Mrs Kay Hole, who was a keen Inner Wheel member and must have outlived her husband by many years.

John Beviss 1970 -1971

John Beviss was the business partner of Bruce Beckingsale at the legal firm of Beviss and Beckingsale at the Law Chambers on Silver Street, where the first Axminster Carpet was manufactured in 1755.

John Beviss was the exact opposite to Bruce Beckginsale, who was a tall man – gregarious and witty, whilst John Beviss was comparatively short, quiet and unassuming.

I believe John lived in Chardstock, where his family were keen supporters of Chardstock Cricket Club, where his son Peter Beviss, was treasurer for many years.

Richard (Dicky) Bird 1971- 1972

Dicky Bird was manager of Midland Bank in Axminster, when I returned to the family business in 1970. Midland Bank was our company's bank. Trade was not easy in the early seventies and my father and I had difficult meetings with Dicky Bird, our bank manager. However, Dicky Bird moved on fairly soon, and we then had excellent relationships with his successors, Arthur Rice, Tony Box, Clive Mackenzie, Peter Shefferd, Phil Butson and Mike Pugsley. Three of these Midland Bank managers, apart from Dicky Bird, became Presidents of the Rotary Club.

R L Madge 1972 - 1973I must say that I know very little about Mr Madge. I believe he was an accountant – but I don't know his Christian name, nor which firm of accountants he may have worked for? (Perhaps readers of Moulding's Memories could help?)

Les Spoor 1973 - 1974

Les Spoor was the other half of the two Axminster Rotarians who ran the department stor /outfitters of Frederick Baker in Trinity Square. Les Spoor was an equally amiable fellow to his business partner, Alan Lodge. Les was also tall – but fair in complexion and always with a well-manicured moustache. Les and Alan always provided a warm welcome to all their customers.

Clifford Stock 1974 -1975

Cliff Stock was Deputy Headmaster to Herby Tolchard and John White at Axminster Secondary Modern School. Clifford was a charming man and a keen sportsman, being the cousin of Alec Stock – the football manager of Queens Park Rangers, Leyton Orient, Roma (for a short while) Fulham, Bournemouth and famously player-manager of Yeovil Town, when they had an unbelievable run in the FA Cup in 1948/49. Clifford was also keen on his sport – not least at skittles, at which he excelled.

Michael Olof 1975 – 1976

Michael Olof was a farmer at Northay Farm, Hawkchurch. He encouraged me to become a governor at Axminster Secondary School, where Michael had been a governor for a number of years. He then persuaded me in 1987 to stand for East Devon District Council – but that will be the subject of another episode of Moulding's memories.

Philip Duckett 1976 – 1977 (part)

The tragic tale of Philip Duckett is difficult to tell!

Philip was manager of Lloyds Bank. He had a lovely wife and I believe three children, all aged below ten years-old.

He appeared to be a superb bank manager – I had never heard to the contrary - and was well-liked by his staff, particularly his chief cashier, Stan Sutcliffe.

Stan usually opened up the bank early each day and on one morning, he arrived at the bank and found that the security system had been disabled and assumed that Philip had arrived earlier, as he often did, to carry out some work in his office. As time went on, there was nothing to be seen of Philip and Stan became increasingly concerned.

He looked everywhere within the building and then started to explore the outbuildings in the rear garden of the bank – and found Philip, hanging from a beam in one of the garden sheds. Ironically, my father had for many years, cultivated the Lloyds Bank garden as an allotment (with the bank's permission of course) and the shed where Philip Duckett hung himself was where my father kept his garden tools.

No-one could comprehend what had happened. He had no family worries and apparently all the bank finances were in perfect order. However, Philip was the sort of person who found it hard to say no, and was the honorary treasurer for a wide range of voluntary organisations.

Perhaps things had become too much for him and possibly we now know far more about mental health. However, the passing away of Philip Duckett still remains a mystery.

I learned later that Philip, who was my personal bank manager, had put my name forward to become a member of the Rotary Club of Axminster – bad sadly, he never saw me become a Rotarian.

Bill Knapman 1976 – 1977 (part)

I'm not sure when Philip Duckett passed away, but I assume that as Bill Knapman was also President of the Rotary Club in 1976–1977, he was installed into the role early in the Rotary year, taking over from the departed Philip Duckett.

Bill Knapman farmed at Westwater and retired to live in Four Winds, a country home located adjacent to his farm in the Westwater hamlet.

Bill and his wife Joan were always interested in the development of young people. His wife, Joan was a Girl Guide Commissioner, a role which she greatly cherished. In retirement, Bill became involved in the running of the Axminster Youth Club, which operated from Pippins in Lyme Road. However, through Bill, the Youth Club realised that the needs of young people with disabilities were not catered for – and the Gateway Club was formed, specifically for teenagers and young adults with physical and mental needs. Bill took great pleasure from helping with the Gateway Club and the Rotary Club created the "Bill Knapman Community Award" which has been awarded for many years for young people who have been outstanding in the community.

Bill's son David moved back to Axminster in retirement and is a well-known local historian, being very much involved in the Axminster Heritage Centre, where he is a trustee.

Peter Waddilove 1977-1978

Peter Waddilove was headteacher of Axminster Primary School for many years. When I attended Axminster Primary School, the headmaster was Howard Blackburn, who had been in that position for some time. I left the Primary School in 1957 and as was the custom in those days, my school-friend Tony Kent and I returned a year or two later to revisit the school and introduce the students to cricket. By that time (probably 1959) Peter Waddilove had become head-teacher of Axminster Primary School. In 1977, our son Robert started at the school, followed two years later by our second son, Edward. For all that time and until the boys completed primary school education in 1984, Peter Waddilove was still the head-teacher – a period of at least 25 years.

Peter Waddilove was President of the Rotary Club when I was introduced to the organisation in 1977. Peter was a diplomat and maintained an extremely good ambience in the club. As a comparatively young Rotarian, this atmosphere and good friendship offered me an excellent introduction to the organisation, which I enjoyed for nearly 20 years.

This edition of "Moulding's Memories" has made reference to the Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Axminster, leading up to my commencement as a Rotarian. In the next episode of "Moulding's Memories", I will elaborate on the work of the Rotary Club during my 20 years as a Rotarian.