Don Ludlow – 1930-2020
Don Ludlow, who died in August 2020 just four months before his 90th birthday, was one of our Group’s longest serving members having been admitted to our ranks just a few weeks after our inauguration at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate in May 1973.
In the Seventies, and with David Whinyates, he was responsible for the print version of our newsletter which came out every two months. From 1983 to 1987 he edited our then-annual handbook.
On his retirement Don was one of our first members to be accorded life membership.
Don was born in mid-Cheshire and joined the Warrington Guardian Series as a trainee reporter in the late 1940s, working at Northwich office. After a spell with that paper’s opposition, the Northwich Chronicle, he and his first wife Hazel moved to Hurworth in County Durham.
Don joined the Darlington Evening Despatch and became their motoring editor in the 1960s.
On his second marriage Don and Jean moved to Richmond in the North Riding of Yorkshire.
A perfect gentleman, Don never failed to register his apology if he could not attend one of our meetings.
Members were unable to attend his funeral service because of the pandemic but general secretary Alan Domville’s tribute to him on behalf of the membership was read before the committal.
Don is survived by Jean and sons Richard and Martin.
Contributed by Alan Domville
