In Memoriam - Douglas Travers

Douglas (Doug) Travers, a member for many years of the Nottingham Branch of the Dickens Fellowship, died on 10th August, 2024, aged 84.  He and his wife Jennie so quickly settled into our Fellowship that it is difficult to remember meetings without them.  Doug was a true Dickensian and brought his love and knowledge of literature to his reading and leading of our meeting sessions, as he also did to the Nottingham Shakespeare Society.  To all his interests, from snooker to walking to giving lectures at his local U3A in Bingham, he brought commitment, enthusiasm and erudition.  His early experience as a choirboy at his parish church may have helped to give him the marvellous sense of phrasing and emphasis which together with richness of tone made his reading of Dickens so eloquent and memorable, but his skilful planning and organisation also made him an outstanding leader of sessions and committee member.  Jennie and his family, not only their own children and grandchildren but the extended family of young people they fostered, will miss Doug enormously, as will the Fellowship.  We have been greatly enriched by his contribution, and many of our members attended the service of celebration at Bingham Parish Church, feeling privileged to pay our respects to Doug’s memory.
ANITA FERNANDEZ YOUNG