Dilwyn (seated) selling postcards at a Preston Community Library event
(Photo: Chris Coates)
Dilwyn Chambers died last week. He was 88. Dilwyn was a familiar figure to many
Brentonians who shared his interest in local history and local issues including
the preservation of our heritage and our libraries – a real local character who
popped up in the most unexpected of places.
Dilwyn was Secretary of the Wembley History Society
in 1974, when Willesden Local History Society was started. He soon joined the
Willesden group, and had been a loyal member ever since, tireless in his
efforts to promote interest in our local history. Dilwyn had a wide range of
interests and was a member of dozens of societies. He attended local community
meetings on behalf of the group, always with a handful of WLHS programme
leaflets to advertise its activities. Dilwyn always spoke his mind, and will be
missed by many people in Willesden and Wembley.
Dilwyn Chambers (Photo: Margaret Smith)
These are some of the tributes by various members of Brent's two local history
societies (Wembley and Willesden), Brent and community libraries, and Brent
Museum and Archives.
'It is sad news indeed, as Dilwyn has
been a big part of our community for a long time.'
'Very sad to hear of Dilwyn's passing.
I had some great conversations with him, he had a vast knowledge. Please pass
on my condolences.'
'I am so sorry to hear this news about
Dilwyn. This is actually a shock to me. He was an irreplaceable member
of WHS, and an often unfathomably challenging Brent Museum and
Archives service user. And he will, for all his good qualities and general
contrariness, be sorely missed.'
'What a great loss, he will be missed.'
'So sad to learn of Dilwyn’s departure.
He was a presence in the local history society and community who made his mark
on all who knew him over so many years. He kept me on the mark as chair of the
Society, both in meetings and through an endless stream of beautifully-crafted
letters containing info from other meetings he had attended (he went
everywhere). Also, gentle criticism about what we should be doing, based on his
time as an officer.'
'The [Brent] library team were saddened
to hear of the death of Mr Chambers.'
'Dear Dilwyn ... too much to say
now. My daughter who danced with Dilwyn at the dance centre above
Burton's in Harrow 20+ years ago (photographic evidence is available!) is as
distressed as I am.'
'Dilwyn had an encyclopaedic knowledge
of subjects he found of interest. I remember him once talking to me about
troops at the Battle of Prestonpans using a railway embankment for cover. I
briefly considered the possibility that he had gone mad, but it turned out that
he was correct, there was a railed 'waggonway' for horse-drawn wagons running to
the coast that ran right across the middle of the battlefield, and troops did
indeed use the feature for protection in 1745!'
'He was well-known in the Preston
Community Library .... He will be
remembered as a great supporter of Library events - especially Saturday night
film evenings - and any party where an opportunity to jive was on offer!'
'I
still have numerous interesting random pieces [Dilwyn] had passed on to
Richard, with fitting messages attached.'
'Sorry to
hear the passing of Dilwyn. Sad but not
unexpected. Please give my condolences to
his nephew when next in contact.'
'Thanks for letting me know about the sad loss of Dilwyn. He must have been the
longest serving member of WHS. I joined in 1971 and he had been secretary for a
few years before then. He was a member of numerous societies and made valuable
contributions to them all. He often sent me photocopies of articles and pieces
of ephemera in which I might be interested, very thoughtful and generous.'
'He was a
great supporter of and a regular visitor to our [Barham] Community Library, and
of course other local causes.'
'He was a very passionate man and
really cared about heritage.'
Dilwyn Chambers (Old Brent Archives publicity image)
UPDATE
Two more tributes to Dilwyn Chambers from former members of Brent Archives staff (when the Archives were at Cricklewood Library, and at the "old" Willesden Green Library Centre).
'That’s so very sad but I’m glad at the end he was in good care and no doubt regaling his carers with many stories.
I’ll remember him fondly. He had an impish nature for sure but he always had the archives' best interests at heart and cared deeply for local history and most of the custodians of it.'
and:
'Such sad news. Strangely, it’s hard not to think about the good times we had working together (many, many years ago) without thinking about Dilwyn.
Dilwyn was and forever will be part of the fabric of Brent Archives, despite the fact he was never an employee! Dilwyn will be missed but never forgotten. May his soul rest in perfect peace.'
FROM LORRAINE KING, EX-BRENT & KILBURN TIMES REPORTER (VIA TWITTER)
I'm saddened by the news that Dilwyn Chambers has died. He was a fierce campaigner who defended locals and made sure their voices were heard. He was a thorn in the side to Brent Council at times which proved he was holding them to account. He will be missed. May he RIP
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