Talented Kenilworth scientist leaves a wealth of data for others to explore

A man with a creative vision, wit and wisdom admired and treasured by those whom he came to know.

Born in 1938, Paul, as a teenager, lived at Cumnor Lodge adjacent to Kenilworth Cricket Club’s ground on Warwick Road, occasionally turning out for the 3rds when asked.

However, his sporting achievements – rugby and rowing – were developed at Warwick School, Pembroke College, Oxford and Exeter University where his Phd studies were scuppered by the 1963 winter, the coldest for more than 200 years with snow drifts preventing Paul’s research into plants and vegetation.

Soon after leaving Exeter he worked as a scientist investigating Atlantic cod fishing on the North Sea.

Paul’s later travels took him to the Caribbean to promote crop improvements before settling for a while in Fordingbridge on the edge of the New Forest, where his creative initiatives included developing a trout smokery.

On his return to Warwickshire he began work on the development of heavily insulated food storage containers.

At this stage of his career he became a regular at several pubs, notably the Anchor in Leek Wootton, the Cottage in Kenilworth and the Blue Room at the White Horse in Leamington.

Here he became a notable influence in the success of the Blue Room Debating Society and Lottery Syndicate. which attracted many top brains and many of the wittiest and sporty people in the area.

Professor George Bain, then Chair at Warwick Business School and Chris Wardlow, the England Rugby international, were members.

Paul’s long-standing commitment to improving the environment encouraged him to be an active member of Kenilworth All Together Greener and Community Energy Warwickshire Limited - where he was a director.

Two little known facts about him are his record as a taxi driver on regular ‘Heathrow runs’ and his passion for walks across the Cotswolds and Staffordshire Hills where, I’m told, the practice of swapping false teeth amongst locals was not uncommon.

Paul thoroughly enjoyed the wit and wisdom of others as his many similar stories bear testament.

He will be much missed.

Hopefully, his 200 box files of environmental data will be of use to other thinkers with his degree of invention and creativity.

Paul’s funeral takes place at Oakley Wood Crematorium on Wednesday September 25 at 2.30pm.