Page 129 - WHO'S WHO OF DUDLEY ROTARY

underground Rock Characterisation Facility related to deep nuclear waste disposal at Sellafield,
Cumbria. He was project manager for the building of the Europe’s largest Hindu temple, the
Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple at Tividale and remains a member of the temple advisory
panel. During his period with JPB he was also a director of Minconsult SA of Madrid, Spain
(1986-92), of UK Automation / Nano Computing of Northwich (1978-2003), and Chairman of the
Institution of Geologists (1984-86).
Colin was brought up in Barrow-in-Furness, then studied geology at Kings College London,
graduating in 1964. He taught geography at Barrow Grammar School for a year (and was
certified a qualified teacher based only on that practical experience) after which he was a
Scientific Officer/Planner in the Minerals Branch, Ministry of Housing & Local Government. He
also had a period seconded to the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources assisting with the
establishment of the Geological Survey Minerals Assessment Unit and Mineral Resources Unit.
After three years he joined Johnson Poole & Bloomer. He was appointed as a magistrate from
1984 and Chairman of the Dudley, Stourbridge & Halesowen Bench for 2011 and 2012, and was
a member and Chairman of the local Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee, which assists in the
selection of new magistrates. He is long-time secretary of Dudley Book Society.

429 Dr Graham Thomas John COOK (1938- ) (Inducted 9.6.1969; left January 1977 on moving to
Devon.) General medical practitioner. He was a partner in the practice based at the Central
Clinic, Hall Street, Dudley. He left in 1977 to set up practice in the small North Devon town of
Hartland near Bideford, with another surgery in nearby Clovelly. In 1997 he suffered a major
financial loss as one of the Lloyd’s insurance ‘Names’, from which it appears he never recovered.
He retired in March 2008 but the following year sadly suffered both personal bankruptcy and
the death of his wife. He was born in Dudley, the son of Arthur Cook, club member for over 50
years (#178).

430 William (‘Bill’) Frederick A NEEDHAM (1909-1988) (Inducted 9.6.1969; left in mid-1970.)
[Additional Active Member] Groceries Distributing. He was a senior manager
with King Goodwin Ltd, wholesale grocers and provisions merchants of Hall
Street, Dudley, under local director Jack Wall (member #402). However from
the 1950s until his death he lived at Dorridge in Solihull, so he left the Dudley
club to be a founder member of the Rotary Club of Knowle and Dorridge,
which was chartered in November 1970. He was its President 1971-72.

431 Austin ROPER (1931-2000) (Inducted 29.9.1969; left during 1973/74.) Men’s Clothing
(Retailing). Manager and probably also a director of the menswear
business Austin Roper Ltd of Birdcage Walk, Dudley. The business was
founded in 1935 by his father Bill Roper (member #329) but from the
outset was named after Austin, even though he was only a three year old
child at the time! The shop was originally in Fountain Arcade but moved
to Fisher Street in the mid-1960s and to nearby Birdcage Walk in 1973. His
father remained in charge until 1974 when he sold the business to a
Birmingham firm. The new owners continued to trade in Dudley until 1982
and in Edgbaston under the Austin Roper name until 2009. Austin lived at
Stourton until 1970, then moved to Franche near Kidderminster.

432 John William Paul TURNER LL.B (1935-2016) (Inducted 29.12.1969; left Feb.1978.) Law,
solicitor. Partner in the practice of Turner, Bayley & Co. of Wolverhampton Street, Dudley and
Worcester Road, Hagley, founded by his father Will Turner (member #363). It merged with
Thompson, Warmington & Cave in 1987 to become Turner Bayley, Thompson Warmington. He