BP News

Roger Smith 1923-2009

It is sad to report that ROGER SMITH died at Lister hospital on 23rd May at the age of 86. He had been in hospital for 10 days after a fall at home and contracted pneumonia following a kidney infection and other problems. In recent times, Roger had suffered 2 minor strokes, but being fiercely independent and stubborn as a mule, refused to go into a home, and so lived alone in his flat in Hitchin, from where he could get around the town in his buggy. In spite of his incapacity, he made every effort to see Bancroft Players productions at the theatre until he eventually became housebound.

Roger was born in Nottingham and his first job was apprentice engineer with Rolls-Royce at Derby. Much of his career was spent with British Aerospace and when the company moved to Stevenage in 1958/9 he came with them, and with Vera, his wife bought an old cottage in Walkern, which they spent many years renovating. Roger and Vera, whom many of us remember for her delicious dry sense of humour, had four children: Richard, Michael, Sue and Wendy, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. On retiring, Roger and Vera moved to a first floor flat in an Edwardian house on the corner of St Johns Road and Whitehill Road. Sadly, Vera died in 1991 and from then, Roger lived alone pursuing his interests with vigour as long as he was able.

Roger's main interest in his younger days was singing and on moving to Walkern he joined the Stevenage male voice choir and the Hitchin Thespians. He had a deep rich bass voice which made him in demand not only for a choir but also for parts in shows requiring such a voice. His larger than life personality and commanding physical presence made him eminently suitable for ‘The King' in The King and I and ‘Tevia' in Fiddler on the Roof. Roger enjoyed the acting side of the parts he played, and joined the Bancroft Players where he made his debut in 1981 as ‘The Grandfather' in Larkrise directed by John Gardiner. He went on to do a number of parts for John for whom he had tremendous admiration. In 1983 he was ‘The Common Man' in Man For All Seasons, directed by Kirk Foster, the first production at the newly opened Queen Mother Theatre. He revelled in drama and other important parts he played included ‘GOD' in The Mysteries directed by Ken Walsh and, ‘The Colonel' in Conduct Unbecoming (pictured) Directed by Richard Whitmore. In 1995 he made his debut as a director with The Crucible and enjoyed enormously the opportunity of directing this hugely challenging play.

Besides acting and singing, Roger had many other interests, and being such a strong and outspoken character, did not hesitate to offer his opinion on a number of controversial matters involving both the town and the QMT, of which he was passionately fond. He helped with the building of the QMT and was also caretaker/cleaner for a while. He was vociferous on any matter, which he perceived as unjust or incorrect. He loved buildings and what he thought was good architecture, and fought hard to prevent the demolition of old buildings such as Caldicott House. He was however, generous and helpful and I was lucky to be considered a friend. I shared his love of cricket and was able to spend time with him watching test cricket at Trent Bridge and club cricket at Hitchin. He and I, together with David Chamberlain, also spent many hours working on building my new house in 1991/2 and we had many arguments and laughs along the way.

All in all, Roger Smith was a great character – stubborn and cussed yes, but kind, helpful, and humorous. We shall miss him dearly.

Roger Hawkins