It is often said that Gurston is more like a family than a motor club. If that is indeed the case, then Andrew has, for some time, been regarded as head of that family. Sadly, Andrew died in Kimberley East Care Home in Salisbury on Monday August 3rd, he had been there since the start of the year.
Like many, Andrew started his involvement in motorsport as a marshal where his talents were obviously spotted and transported him to other roles. At one stage a clerk, often a committee member with numerous club chairs and most recently as treasurer and event secretary.
Andrew’s keen eye for detail, his knowledge of rules/protocol and his insistence on correct procedure fully qualified him as the custodian of the ‘Gurston Culture’.
He was instrumental in setting up the first Hillclimb drive schools and subsequently the overseeing Drive School Association. He also was responsible for BARC S/W being one of the first motor clubs to have its own website. His skillset and experience identified him as the ideal candidate to become I.T. Manager for BARC at Thruxton, a position he held for many years and as a result earned the respect and friendship of many who worked with him at HQ.
There is much at Gurston that we must thank Andrew for and we will miss his stories ( even if we had heard them before) and the reassuring presence of a very safe pair of ever willing hands.
The following eulogy was given at Andrew’s wake held in the restaurant at Gurston and attended by members of his family and representatives from Drummond Locos, Swanage Heritage Railway and BARC S/W.
“ Andrew gave his time, energy and passion to Gurston for more years than anyone can remember and we’re here today to celebrate his remarkable life and say goodbye after his long and brave battle with cancer.
No one can recall the exact date that Andrew first arrived here at Gurston – He started as a marshal, but his keen eye, calm nature and willingness to help was soon spotted.
From those early days standing out on trackside, Andrew has taken on many jobs as needed – he served as Clerk of Course guiding events with a steady hand. He was instrumental in starting the first drive school sharing his love of the hill with new drivers – he also pushed the club forward into the digital age making Gurston one of the first Hillclimb venues to launch a website. Most recently he kept the club running smoothly as both treasurer and event secretary.
Much more than a list of job titles, he was the glue on committee – he was one of those who firmly understood that the job started long before Saturday morning and continued a long time after the last car crossed the finish line. Above all, Andrew was the custodian of the Gurston culture. He lived the values that turn a motorsport venue into the close knit family that it is today. He cared about the sport, the competitors, the venue and the volunteers who stood beside him through rain and shine.
Beyond his incredible dedication above ground at Gurston and with the railway at Swanage, Andrew also had a sense of adventure that he occasionally revealed. Just last year he came down for Sunday lunch with us and brought along maps of the famous Burlington Tunnels at Corsham. Much to my wife’s disgust, the maps were spread out over the dinner table and with great pride, he pointed out a specific spot marked “ Hext Gallery” – a section of the vast underground labyrinth that he had discovered many moons ago. It was a wonderful reminder that Andrew was a man of depth, curiosity and quiet achievement – always capable of surprising us!
His loss leaves an empty space on the hill that’ll be felt by everyone who knew him and yet his footprint remains on every part of the club he served for so long.
So, Thank you Andrew from all those here who are benefitting from your lifelong efforts and also Thank you from those in the future who will enjoy their sport little aware of your outstanding contribution.
Rest in peace, your work is done! “