tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post1331718201174519714..comments2024-03-28T19:20:52.408+00:00Comments on WEMBLEY MATTERS: UPDATED: Dilwyn Chambers: A ubiquitous local historian and library campaigner who was passionate about heritage and enjoyed dancing. He will be sorely missed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-16629179840668833582022-01-16T17:38:42.860+00:002022-01-16T17:38:42.860+00:00Debbie Nyman writes: I met Dilwyn only twice and o...Debbie Nyman writes: I met Dilwyn only twice and once was to buy my book, Tea & Memories. You knew immediately on meeting him that he was a mine of information and probably could have talked all day with him! Very sad when these marvellous characters amongst us, pass away. Unique and irreplaceable. Martin Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194641151012303116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-33906485082597618282022-01-15T11:32:17.943+00:002022-01-15T11:32:17.943+00:00I have to post this anonymously as the tributes to...I have to post this anonymously as the tributes to Mr Chambers below were made privately by Brent councillors in email messages between them, but I believe they deserve to be on the public record.<br /><br />"Always had the greatest respect for Dillwyn, he was one of the best attendees of Brent connect forums and the library. Will miss his hand Written notes."<br /><br />"His charm, wonderful letters, and knowledge will be missed. His invaluable contribution to Brent Connect will be missed not only by myself who chaired this forum twice but by all who were privileged to be in the presence of such a giant. Thank you Dilwyn - the privilege was mine. RIP"<br /><br />"I shall certainly miss Dilwyn. He and I used to meet at Brent Connect Forums and more often at ------- when we would stand and talk for ages about all sorts of issues. Dilwyn was very knowledgeable about a wide variety of subjects and had a mischievous humour. A gentleman and scholar. May he rest in peace."<br /><br />"Dilwyn was a resilient character with strong liberal values. He engaged with local authority and he was a committed historian. He liked to attend public meetings and I enjoyed listening to him [though it] was hard to follow him at times. His presence at Brent connects reminded me of the value of listening to all Brent Citizens and of the social value of connecting with people in a physical sense."<br /><br />"I am saddened by the news of a nice and friendly and knowledgeable gentleman <br />that Dilwyn Chambers was. I often had the pleasure of meeting him, in the Queensbury area mainly, and of course all the Brent connect forums. May he rest in peace."<br /><br />"One of the most likeable and intelligent person I have met. I got to know Dilwyn when I was the Chair of Brent Connect. He was extremely friendly and dedicated to his cause and he always worked to improve and preserve things for the next generation - and that he certainly did with pride and enthusiasm. May his soul rest in peace." <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-57097384716403323472022-01-13T11:38:57.975+00:002022-01-13T11:38:57.975+00:00I have been in touch with Dilwyn's nephew, in ...I have been in touch with Dilwyn's nephew, in Wales, to pass on some of the tributes above, and these are extracts from his reply, which I hope that those who knew him will appreciate reading:<br /><br />'It is very thoughtful of you to include all the kind remarks about Uncle Dilwyn.<br /><br />He was indeed keen on dancing - the only light-footed member of the Chambers family, sadly.<br /><br />Two places that were dear to Uncle Dilwyn's heart were Wembley/Harrow, which is were he spent his entire adult life, and Tywyn in North wales, where his mother came from and where Talyllyn railway is based. It's gratifying to know that he was so esteemed in his home patch. As you say, Brent council will have very mixed feelings!<br /><br />My late father, Uncle Dilwyn's senior by ten years, was also very knowledgeable about obscure topics, and the railways in particular. Both of them would argue for hours about such topics as pre-war signalling systems. Both of them were very keen on libraries and actual paper testimony, and the internet age is rapidly pushing such research into obscurity.'Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-31444799376371745072022-01-12T21:26:43.979+00:002022-01-12T21:26:43.979+00:00Very sorry to hear of Dilwyn's death. I saw hi...Very sorry to hear of Dilwyn's death. I saw him at many meetings and events, and he always had an original take on things. I didn't always agree with him, but he was clearly somebody who thought deeply about local matters, and who was keen to be involved in the life of the community.Ian Savillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-13819348255822390672022-01-12T16:10:38.622+00:002022-01-12T16:10:38.622+00:00I've received two more tributes to Dilwyn Cham...I've received 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). <br /><br />'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. <br /><br />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.'<br /><br />and:<br /><br />'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. <br /><br />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.'<br />Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-83055175640532190472022-01-11T13:46:14.018+00:002022-01-11T13:46:14.018+00:00Dilwyn was a tireless supporter of the campaign to...Dilwyn was a tireless supporter of the campaign to keep our libraries open, and one of the most consistent supporters of Preston Library. He frequently came to our cinema, even though he lived some distance from Preston Road, and was an almost constant presence at our quizzes, parties, talks and other events - all this despite the fact that in recent years he was clearly not in the best of health. He will be greatly missed.<br />Philip Bromberg<br />Chair, Preston Community LibraryPhilip Brombergnoreply@blogger.com