Page 149 - WHO'S WHO OF DUDLEY ROTARY

lived in Dudley: he was born in Hampshire, lived in Harborne from 1969, and in Solihull from
1979, so it is not known what business connection he had with Dudley (although his wife was
from the town). Moss Construction specialised in public buildings such as schools and clinics so
perhaps he was managing such projects locally. In 1986 he left Moss and set up his own small
building company, Brookbuild Birmingham Limited, which operated for a further 20 years. Roger
was an active member of Edgbaston Ward Conservative Association and its chairman from 1971.
In recent years he is organiser of the Barston University of the Third Age - Barston being near
Solihull - and treasurer of Solihull Parish News. He is thought to have been a member of the
Rotary Club of Birmingham in 2008.

501 William (‘Will’) WESTLEY (1931-2011) (Inducted 13.9.1982; left in
1983/84.) Metal mining & refining. Director of W Westley & Sons Limited,
operator of the Dudley Brass and Bronze Foundry, Vicar Street, Dudley. It
was a very old family firm which started in 1800 with the opening of the
Queens Cross foundry. Will probably joined the firm on leaving school
and took control on the death of his father in 1961. He remained MD until
the business ceased operation in 1989. He was a prominent freemason,
member of the Royal Standard Lodge No.498 and a Past Provincial Junior
Grand Warden of the Worcestershire Province. He was active in the
running of Dudley Parish Church (‘Top Church’) and a long-time member of the choir. His home
was in Priory Close, Dudley from 1963.

502 Ivan BULLAS (1926-1993) (Inducted 7.3.1983; left in 1983/84.) Law, General practice. Partner
in solicitors William F Hatton & Co, Dixons Green, Dudley, which specialised in handling personal
injury litigation. During the latter part of the War he worked in coal mines as a Bevin boy. In his
youth he was a Communist but remarkably by 1948 was secretary and by 1949 Chairman of the
Dudley Young Conservatives. He was brought up in Dudley. On leaving school at 15 he started
as a pattern maker. He later became an area sales manager. At the age of 45 he won a
scholarship to Manchester University for a three year law degree, which he evidently completed
successfully. He moved to the Hinksford Mobile Homes Park near Swindon, South Staffordshire
in about 1962 after the break-up of his marriage - he had many lady friends! - and remained
there for perhaps 25 years. Latterly he moved to The Old School House in the village of Neenton
6 miles SW of Bridgnorth. He died unexpectedly in Northamptonshire following a heart attack
whilst on a canalside walk.

503 Dr Gordon Stanley Anderson HOPKINS (1940- ) (Inducted 28.3.1983; left 30.6.2003.)
Education, Further Education (Technical). Principal of Dudley College of
Technology (in succession to Donald Bailey, member #419) from 1982
until retiring in 2003. During this period he presided over a five-fold
growth of the college, reaching 36,000 full- and part-time students,
making it one of the largest general further education colleges in the
country. The college developed the Mons Hill Campus, substantially
expanded the main Broadway campus, opened sixth form centres at
Dormston and High Arcal schools, Sedgley, formed new partnerships with
schools, universities, community and commercial organisations, and
expanded provision of educational services within prisons. At various dates up to his retirement
he was a Director of numerous education-related and business bodies including: Dudley College
Enterprises, Glass Training Limited, MISTA Open Learning, The Limes Training Services, Midland
Oak Skills & Technology, Dudley & Sandwell Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dudley Training
and Enterprise Council, the Association of Colleges, and the National Information and
Technologies Association. Only months after retiring he was taken on by Staffordshire County
Council for 18 months to help steer a merger between Cannock Chase Technical College and