I am sad to report that my good friend and MG stalwart, Terry Davies passed away on Friday 22nd April in Hereford Hospital after a long illness. Terry leaves his wife Freda and Daughter Anne. The MGCC SW Committee are sending sincere condolences to Freda and Anne on behalf of all SW Centre members .
I first knew Terry in 2003 when I did my first Wye Valley Social run, which Terry, along with Vic Lockley, organised. I and my family were made most welcome by Terry and Freda and we remained friends ever since. When Terry started to become too ill to organise and plan the run, I took on arranging the route from south of the Severn to venues selected by Terry and Freda. These were always great venues for us to finish our run and picnic.
Terry’s Daughter Anne has written the following obituary for me to share with you at this sad time.
Terry Davies 1944-2022
MGCC members will be saddened to hear of the death on 22 April 2022 of Terry Davies, a longstanding member of the club and one of the founders of the Wye Valley Natter.
Terry bought his first MG, a brand new MGB in blaze orange, from University Motors while living in St Albans and working as a production engineer at Cam Gears in Hitchin. Terry and his wife, Freda, moved to Ross-on-Wye in 1971, when Terry got a job at Rank Xerox in Mitcheldean. After their daughter Anne was born in 1973, there was a great deal of parental pressure to get a more family-friendly vehicle, so the MGB was sold in favour of a boring saloon car. However, Terry’s relationship with MGs was only just getting started, and he bought a black 1946 MG TC which he lovingly restored. The MG collection increased over the years to include Freda’s 1960 MGA (now driven by Anne) and a 1934 PA in two-tone green. At various times, Terry also owned an MG TF and an MG3 for everyday use.
Terry and other members of the Wye Valley Natter took turns to organise events. In the early years, there were gymkhanas and treasure hunts, and more recently, they ran the very popular Wye Valley Social Run, involving a scenic drive to a local place of interest. Terry loved putting his cars on display at steam engine rallies, such as Much Marcle and Welland, and was a regular at MGCC Silverstone. Terry and Freda were regulars at T Register weekends (often with other members of the Natter) and particularly enjoyed attending MMM Register weekends in the PA.
During his teens, Terry was diagnosed with Behçet’s disease, a very rare chronic condition affecting the joints, eyes and skin. This led to periodic bouts of ill-health throughout his life, which he bore with great fortitude, culminating in serious complications in 2014 when he spent six months in hospital. In latter years, he was less able to enjoy his beloved cars, though he and Freda were able to join Anne on the MGA anniversary tour from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Everyone who knew Terry will remember him as a lovely man with a big smile and a warm heart. He was much loved by Freda and Anne and will be sorely missed.
Terry’s funeral will take place at St Mary’s Parish Church, Ross-on-Wye, on Friday 6 May at 1pm. MGCC members (and their cars) would be most welcome, though please bear in mind that there is limited parking in the vicinity of the church. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Behçet’s UK, c/o William Bevan Funeral Directors, 16 Old Gloucester Road, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5JG. For any enquiries, please contact enquiries@williambevan.co.uk, or telephone 01989 562092.
I am proposing to attend the funeral and if you would like to join me, we can meet at Severn View (Aust) Services at 11:00am on Friday 6th May and then continue on to Ross-on-Wye in time for the service. I can be contacted by email at jim.lott@hotmail.co.uk or my mobile 07773491953.
Jim Lott
So sad to learn of Terry’s passing. He was a great guy who did so much to promote the MG cause in the Wye Valley and we have nothing but happy memories of times spent in his company while visiting that part of the country.Our deepest condolences to Freda and Anne. RIP Terry.
Edward and Easter Kirkland
We were both very sad to hear of the passing of Terry.
We will remember his beaming smile that always welcomed you to the fabulous Wye Valley events & he was always interested in how you were.
Our thoughts are with Freda and Anne at this time.
Clive and Helen Holloway
We were both sorry to hear of the passing of Terry.
We will always remember his beaming smile when we attended the various excellent Wye Valley events over the years and he was always interested in how you were.
Our thoughts are we Freda and Anne at this time.
One of life’s great characters.
Clive and Helen Holloway
Pingback: Chairman’s Chat – 10th May 22 – MG Car Club South West Centre