GOFF POWELL, ONE OF LEATHERHEAD'S BEST LOVED HISTORIANS, DIES AGED 79

OBITUARY:

Goff Powell

 (1939-2018)

Goff Powell, lifelong Leatherhead resident and one of the town's best known historians, died on Monday, 20 August aged 79 at the Princess Alice Hospice. He leaves behind his widow Maureen and their two sons, David and Brian. His close friend and fellow historian Brian Hennegan writes this tribute.

                                                                   

Godfrey David Powell was one of life's gentlemen, softly spoken, of generous spirit and caring. He was born in Ashtead but by the outbreak of the Second World War the family had moved to Ryebrook Road, Leatherhead.  His parents and his elder brother Tom came from the valleys of South Wales where their father had been a miner.

Goff’s formative years were spent in a community that looked out for each other and the friendships that were forged there were to last a lifetime. He was educated at All Saints School and Leatherhead County Secondary School (long before Therfield was established.)  Goff had an artistic gift and attended Epsom Art College. His first job was working for a commercial art studio in London and he hoped to establish a career in the art world. However, being a certain age he ‘took the Queen’s shilling’, or to be more accurate had the Queen’s shilling thrust upon him! He spent his national service in the Royal Army Medical corps and found himself involved in book-keeping and accounting. 

Returning to ‘civvy street’ Goff worked for a number of well known local firms in a financial capacity. He studied and gained book-keeping and accountancy qualifications and his last appointment was that of an instructor in this field at Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Training college.

Goff had many hobbies and interests. The Scout movement was always  close to his heart and as well as being a young scout himself he became a cub and scout-master, later serving as an assistant district commissioner for the Leatherhead District. He was made an Honorary Scouter and awarded the Silver Acorn for Distinguished Service. In all, he gave over 40 years of service to the movement. Football was also a passion and he followed ‘The Tanners’ for over 65 years, not just as a spectator but also playing competitively for many years. Popular music was another interest.

Goff’s involvement with the Leatherhead & District Local History Society was well known. He served on the executive committee and was at one time sales secretary. For many years he was also a steward and member of the Friends of Leatherhead Museum.

Over the years he amassed a comprehensive collection of postcards, not only of local interest but of a more general nature. His generosity in providing  access to them for other authors was always gratefully appreciated and he was a member of the Surrey Postcard Collectors Club. 

Goff was always in demand as a speaker for many local clubs and societies.  He was a prolific writer of books and articles for various publications numbering well over 100. His books included Up The Tanners,  a personal history of Leatherhead Football Club;  The Inns and Public Houses of Leatherhead & District;  Over the Bridge the Southern Side; and Over the Other Bridge.

We are all the poorer for Goff’s passing.