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Founder of Borehamwood boys' club dies
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| 'Strong personality': Mr Redman set up Brookside Boys' Club in 1963 |
Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the founder of a Borehamwood youth club who died last week.
Henry Redman, 88, opened Brookside Boys' Club, in Buckton Road, in 1965, providing sports and recreation facilities for thousands of the town's youngsters.
The father-of-four died on Friday following a short illness. He had lived with his wife, Doris, in Wetherby Road, for 55 years.
Currently around 50 boys aged 12 to 19 attend the club. They are able to play football, snooker and pool on three evenings a week.
The building is also hired out to an over-50s group, a karate club, the Red Cross, sport clubs and to the county council to educate children who have dropped out of school.
In December, the club received grants totalling £7,000 so that it could remain open for another year.
Arthur Muir, club chairman, said: "What Henry did for Borehamwood is unbelievable, as he helped thousands of boys as they passed through the club.
"When we were younger I went with him to the Mary Ward Boys' Club in Tavistock Square, London, and when he came to Borehamwood he decided to open a similar club."
Mr Redman initially opened a boys' club in 1963 at Lyndhurst Middle School in Gateshead Road.
Mr Muir said: "The club used to open one night a week and the children were only allowed to use the gym.
"Later when Brookside Boys' Club was opened it was used five nights a week and sometimes on Saturdays for football matches.
"Henry was fantastic with the boys and if you asked him he could tell you the names of boys that used the club years ago and their favourite sport."
| He was a brilliant man, very generous with his time and if we ever needed anything we could always go to him | | Dave Williams, ex-club member |
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Dick Clark, who ran the club with Mr Redman, said: "When Henry started the club he asked me to run the football team there and so in total we worked together for about 43 years.
"The boys at the club were devastated to hear the news. They all used to call him 'H' so we are sending a 'H' flower wreath to the funeral from the club and all the boys."
Dave Williams, a volunteer and ex-member of the club, said: "I was 12 years old when I first started going to the club.
"People like Henry will never come again as he worked tirelessly for the club.
"He was of a generation of people who believed it was necessary to give something back to society.
"Henry gave his services voluntarily and now with him gone it seems like the end of an era. He was a brilliant man, very generous with his time and if we ever needed anything we could always go to him.
"He can't be praised enough for the effort he put into helping this community."
Councillor Ernie Butler worked with Mr Redman to secure funding for the club.
He said: "I was really sad to hear the bad news that Henry had died.
"I only knew him for a few years but his strong personality and honesty were the things I will remember him for.
"My sincere condolences go out to his family. He was a big part of Borehamwood and he will be remembered for a long time to come."
Mr Redman is survived by his wife and four children.
His funeral will be held on April 1 at West Hertfordshire Crematorium in Garston. The funeral procession will pass Brookside Boys' Club at 11.20am.
Leave your tributes to Mr Redman below.1:07pm Monday 17th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Emma on 5:04pm Mon 17 Mar 08
This is very sad news. Henry had such a big impact on so many people in Borehamwood. Condolences to his family and everyone at Brookside Boys' Club.
This is very sad news. Henry had such a big impact on so many people in Borehamwood. Condolences to his family and everyone at Brookside Boys' Club.
Posted by: Rob, bwood on 11:17pm Mon 17 Mar 08
R.I.P you was a very good friendly and helpful man , missed dearly
R.I.P you was a very good friendly and helpful man , missed dearly
Posted by: paul welsh on 11:09am Tue 18 Mar 08
i had the pleasure to know henry for nearly 30 years in his connection with brookside youth club. he was always dedicated to it and that type of 'old fashioned' volunteer very hard to find today. he will be missed by all who new him[bold]bold[/bold]
i had the pleasure to know henry for nearly 30 years in his connection with brookside youth club. he was always dedicated to it and that type of 'old fashioned' volunteer very hard to find today. he will be missed by all who new him
Posted by: Holly Pullinger, redbourn on 7:07pm Tue 18 Mar 08
Henry Redman was my grandad, and whenever we went round, he would always be talking about his club. he loved it, and poured his heart into it. we all miss him very much, and i know the community will too
Henry Redman was my grandad, and whenever we went round, he would always be talking about his club. he loved it, and poured his heart into it. we all miss him very much, and i know the community will too
Posted by: Wendy Bradford, Australia on 5:30am Wed 19 Mar 08
Henry was my Great Uncle and was an incredibly kind and generous man. Even though this branch of the family are over here in Australia Henry kept in touch with all of us regularly. A visit to Uncle Henry was not complete without a tour of his club !
He will be sadly missed.
Henry was my Great Uncle and was an incredibly kind and generous man. Even though this branch of the family are over here in Australia Henry kept in touch with all of us regularly. A visit to Uncle Henry was not complete without a tour of his club !
He will be sadly missed.
Posted by: James B., Redbourn on 6:32pm Wed 19 Mar 08
"My Mate Henry": I loved him. He made me laugh and was always very kind to me. I will miss him, and so will Mummy & Daddy.
"My Mate Henry": I loved him. He made me laugh and was always very kind to me. I will miss him, and so will Mummy & Daddy.
Posted by: Andrew, Borehamwoo on 11:00pm Wed 19 Mar 08
I was part of the junior Red Cross group at the club from the age of six until I left to join the senior team, and my father helped with the group as well.
I will always remember Henry as a great man, always talking to people as an equal, regardless of whether they were 6 or in their 60's.
He'll be sorely missed by everyone at the Borehamwood Red Cross.
I was part of the junior Red Cross group at the club from the age of six until I left to join the senior team, and my father helped with the group as well.
I will always remember Henry as a great man, always talking to people as an equal, regardless of whether they were 6 or in their 60's.
He'll be sorely missed by everyone at the Borehamwood Red Cross.
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