In Memoriam
This page celebrates recently passed CRS members who have given great service to CRS, Calthorpe Estate and its communities over many years, and provides details of funeral arrangements where appropriate.
Barbara Bradbury
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Barbara, our much loved Committee Secretary.
Barbara was a much loved and respected Committee member of CRS. For many years she was Secretary of the Society but, in reality, Barbara was much more than this; she was the lynchpin of the Committee and the Society. Barbara’s dedication, interpersonal skills and local knowledge enabled her to be on top of “all things Edgbaston and Calthorpe Estates”, making sure all our affairs were conducted efficiently and expeditiously.
Her straightforward but understated efficiency was perhaps no surprise when reflecting on her busy working life as Head of Productions in local television and her senior role in the Visiting Scheme at HM Prison Birmingham.
But most of all Barbara was a lovely person who was fun to be with; she is, and will remain, sorely missed.
Graham Winteringham – 02 March 1923 to 29 January 2023
Graham and his wife Lesley had long associations with the Calthorpe Estate. They moved from Solihull to 7 Sir Harry’s Road in 1978 and remained in Edgbaston at ‘Audley’ St Georges Place following downsizing in 2017.
Born in Louth, Lincolnshire, he grew up in Leicester where he briefly attended the school of architecture before serving in the Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm during the second world war. On demobilisation in 1946, he studied full-time at Birmingham School of Architecture, and in 1949 joined the practice of ST Walker in the city. The firm subsequently moved their offices to 9/10 Frederick Road where he was Senior Partner until his retirement in 1988.
Graham will be best remembered for his design of Birmingham Repertory Theatre (completed 1971) and where he attended nearly every opening night performance in its 52 year history along with Lesley who died in 2019. In his later career he restored many country houses, working extensively for the National Trust across the Midlands, including at Baddesley Clinton, Charlecote and Shugborough Hall, as well as at Dudley Castle.
An avid reader, painter and photographer, he was also a keen sportsman throughout his life. He enjoyed sailing, walking and particularly swimming which he kept up at Audley until 2021.
Mark Kenchington
[22.08.21] CRS is saddened to hear recent news of the death of its previous chairman Mark Kenchington. Mark led the Society with characteristic elegance and huge commitment for 39 years until 2014, when he retired to live near Stratford with his partner Jill, to whom we send our love and condolences.
A chartered surveyor by profession with the then leading Birmingham firm of Edwards Son & Bigwood and latterly in his own practice, Mark was a founding member of the Calthorpe Residents Society in 1966. Living in Edgbaston with his late wife Annie, son Paul and daughter Sally for some 50 years,
Mark helped many residents to buy the freeholds of their homes. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of and love for the Estate and the families who live here. Under his leadership the Society had considerable success in defending the unique built environment that is Edgbaston, particularly in the designation of the Edgbaston Conservation Area, which is the largest of its type in England.
Edgbaston and the Calthorpe Residents Society has lost a great friend and devoted advocate. We shall miss him greatly.
Sally, Mark’s daughter, has provided details of the weblink for his funeral for anyone who would like to join remotely. She suggests testing the link: they will see a holding page saying Mark Kenchington.
Service Date 26-Aug-21
Weblink begins at 11:45 when the coffin will arrive; the funeral begins at 12 noon at the Chapel – Redditch.
Website https://watch.obitus.com
Username = miye4683
Password = 762111
Live Webcast instructions:
You can login to our website at https://watch.obitus.com at any time to view a test connection and we strongly recommend you do this when you will see a holding page. You will only be able to view the Live Webcast approximately 5 mins before the service start time. Please be aware this is a public building and the timing of the live webcast is semi-automated to allow for services running early or late – please use your discretion if you can see activities not applicable to the service you are here to watch.
Text by Charles Barwell, OBE
Hon. Alderman James Hutchings
[22.08.21] We were very sorry to hear recently of the death of Edgbaston’s long-serving councillor and even longer standing CRS member, James Hutchings.
James was a councillor for the Edgbaston Ward covering much of the Calthorpe Estate for 23 years, retiring in 2015. Serving as a Conservative, he was greatly respected on all sides of the political spectrum in the Council House. He was a member of the boards of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI, of the Optima Housing Association, and of St Basils which does such great work for people who are under the threat of homelessness.
James died in Abersoch in North Wales, where he had kept a sailing boat for most of his life. A memorial service will be held in Edgbaston in the Autumn at which CRS will be represented.
James set up a charity which will continue his support for young people in Birmingham and North Wales. Donations in his memory can be made via his charity’s page on JustGiving here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/james-hutchings. This has a link to a Facebook video of his funeral service.
Text by Charles Barwell, OBE
David Henson
I have to pass on the sad news that David Henson, a long -standing and distinguished member has passed away.
David was with the Society from its inception. Not just as a member, he was our Secretary for an astonishing forty years. David was a remarkable Secretary putting in many hours of work, week in, week out for the Society and the residents of the Estate.
An accomplished lawyer, he was an expert on the 1967 Leasehold Reform Act. Using that expertise, he gave advice to many people who were seeking to obtain the freehold on their leasehold property. Flowing from that, the beautiful and historically important houses on the Estate were then properly looked after and maintained.
David was a delightful companion and a real gentleman. We send our condolences to Pam and the family.
Peter Arnold
(Chairman Calthorpe Residents Society)
April 2021