The day before the long-awaited Royal wedding,our HPCCG Vice Chair,DEREK INWOOD, suffered a heart attack and was rushed into hospital.I was absolutely devastated to hear,from his loving wife,on Sunday May 1,that our beloved colleague had been snatched so suddenly,leaving a huge gap in our lives.
I have had the privelege of knowing Derek from the day I joined HPCCG,around 15 years back,when he was Vice Chair.Derek had already Chaired HPCCG and knew a great deal about the local set-up.He was most generous in sharing local knowledge and giving valuable advice.He was an active member on the Sector working groups, Vice Chair of the Crime Prevention Panel and an incredibly active member of the Holy Trinity Church in Wealdstone.
Derek never showed off, nor acted like a Know-it-all.There was nothing pretentious about him.He was one of a kind.
He encouraged and persuaded me to join the HPCCG Management,making sure I learnt the ropes, resulting in my quickly becoming Vice Chair.
Derek was incredibly supportive and guided me in a quiet and unobtrusive manner.I cannot remember a time he was not there!It will be difficult to turn around and not find him sitting beside me at our meetings.I expect he will be with us, in spirit.
He has been a pillar of strength,standing by loyally,through thick and thin,covering for me on the London-wide Chairs Forum(now LCP2).They,too, are devastated by our sad loss.
We often attended the Chairs meetings with the Commissioner, at New Scotland Yard together as well as those of the Londonwide Chairs Forums.His committment and dedication has been most inspiring.What a wonderful role model he has been!
We all felt thrilled when he received a richly deserved Commendation from our Borough Commander last April,for service to the Community of Harrow.
I was deeply touched by the work he did with our youth,in particular,and the manner in which he adapted quickly to the ever-changing landscape of the HPCCG culture and embraced willingly,the changing face of Harrow,in a most pragmatic way.He never failed to call a spade a spade and would brook no non-sense.
The HPCCG went from being politely informed about policing in Harrow and London,to genuine consultation,close engagement and partnership working with our local Police, as well as those at New Scotland Yard.Truly a sea-change,which was well overdue and one which has paid off handsomely.
When I was catapaulted to HPCCG Chair,nine years back,Derek readily agreed to be my right-hand man.His invaluable experience and knowledge were immensely useful,especially when we applied for funding to the MPA or made other important decisions on behalf of the HPCCG.
He arranged excellent presentations and taught me alot about these matters,never taking any credit.He was incredibly humble, very forthright and fiercely loyal.He remained our Vice Chair till the very last and will be dearly missed!Harrow is the poorer without him.
Derek was thoroughly dependable,honest and sincere to the core--a rare gem.Irreplaceable.
He always delivered our funding application personally to the MPA,leaving nothing to chance.We shall miss him,again,when this is due in a fortnight. In fact,Derek attended our management meeting on April 20 and helped plan the Extraordinary General meeting which we are holding in the Council Chamber,at the Harrow Civic Centre,on Monday 16 May.
We will be presenting our accounts and updating our Constitution.All are most welcome to attend.We will start at 7pm sharp and begin with a tribute, in his honour.
His Funeral Service which was held in a capacity- packed Holy Trinity Church yesterday,bore testament to the goodwill he had created so lovingly and garnered over a life-time of true Christian service,caring and sharing for his fellow-man,on a day-to day basis.It felt like a celebration of the very rich and fulfilling life he had led.
You could sense the enormous love and respect for him,enveloping us all,as we bade a tearful farewell to this wonderful man, who had soldiered on so proudly and served in his inimitable, unaffected style,for so many years.
Derek has gone but will not be forgotten.He has touched and inspired so many lives and continues to live in our hearts.We shall always miss him and salute him for everything he has done.Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family,friends and colleagues.May his Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.
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