Harry Arnold MBE – A branch tribute In her tribute, Audrey Smith, former chairman of IWA, reminded us that Harry was on the legendary North West Committee in the 1960s, with such figures as Ken Goodwin and John Heap. Caldon stalwart Ben Fradley was also part of that, and I used to accompany him to meetings. It was there that I first met Harry; he never seemed in awe of ‘the great and good’, then or now. They were very much in evidence yesterday; there must have been about 200 at Fradley Crematorium, with many having to stand outside. Richard Parry was there representing the Canal & River Trust, the last of a long line of BW and CRT top men to benefit from Harry’s friendship and forthright wisdom and advice. Harry Arnold at his MBE investiture. Photo: Waterway Images I am writing this the day after Harry’s funeral. You will read tributes and obituaries elsewhere in this edition of Knobsticks and no doubt in every waterways magazine in the country. At the funeral, the Celebrant, Simon Mapp (and it was very real celebration of Harry’s life) described Harry as very much a family man – a man with a close personal family and a wider ‘waterways’ family. He was part of our Branch Family; as well as entertaining us with talks in his inimitable style from time to time, he joined us also at social meetings with his wife Beryl and daughter Julie. For several years, they were regular attenders at the Branch Dinners, usually accompanied by his long-standing friends, our President Chris Skelhorne and Sylvia. Winter 2018
A tribute was made by his friend from school days, Eddie Frangleton, who recalled that they grew up together in the land between the Manchester Ship Canal and the Bridgwater, and once cycled together to Lands End visiting every engine shed they could find on the way. Even in those days, Harry was a keen photographer, using the school dark room. This was referred to by others, including Tony Lewery, who described early adventures together at Norbury Junction, and later Harry’s involvement with the Waterways museum at Ellesmere Port. He remarked that Harry had a vision of what was possible, as an early pioneer of the leisure boating industry as well as founder of WRG with Graham Palmer. Hugh Potter also mentioned Harry’s skill as a photographer, noting how backgrounds were important in his composiPage 7