I’m sad to report that the Trust has recently lost two of its keen and hard-working supporters.
Ann Edwards died in March followed by Michael her husband of 47 years in June.
Michael and Ann lived in Emsworth for a number of years and when they became members of EM&HT, with their knowledge of the town and the local area, they were able to make a significant contribution to the activities of the Trust and Museum. They often joined other Trust members on group holidays and Michael enjoyed photographing the towns and sites they visited – later showing the pictures at meetings and events.
As a Steward Ann was quietly efficient and cheerful and always greeted visitors with a smile.
Michael was a professional photographer, and he had a large collection of photographs of Havant and the surrounding area that he had taken over many years. He also took on the extensive project of photographing the course of the river Ems from its source. Michael’s public showings of these pictures in the North Street Community Centre were very popular and always drew an enthusiastic audience.
For a short time, Michael maintained and updated the Trust’s website and took many of the photographs used in the Newsletters. Before he retired Michael owned a shop in West Street, Havant. This was at a time when anyone requiring a photograph for a passport, or a special occasion would visit his studio where he had the required lighting and drapes. Many local brides remember him as the photographer that was engaged to record the happy day and he often supplied the wedding cars.
Michael was a keen cyclist and a member of the South Hants Vehicle Preservation Society. I believe that once he attended a local show riding a penny-farthing bicycle and appropriately dressed in a deerstalker hat and plus fours. Dorothy Bone
