Ken Bates

Photo of Ken, taken in the Council House on 3rd May 2013, on the occasion of the visit of the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords.

After his retirement, Ken studied Science with the Open University. He shared this knowledge with U3A members locally and by being national advisor on science groups for some time. He also shared his love of classical music, leading a group and giving talks. Many of us used to go to concerts to hear Ken sing in the choir.He gave talks on a wide range of subjects including musical personalities and also his experiences of growing roses.

Over the long period of his membership of Nottingham U3A, Ken was on the committee, was Secretary, Treasurer and for at least six years, Chairman. During that period, he changed and modernised the way the organisation was run. He carried through an increase in subscriptions to enable us to have an office with a phone, broadband and a computer. To make this practical he successfully applied for grants to see us through the first year of this change. He didn’t restrict himself to finance, organising, talking and singing; for years he was the person to carry and set up equipment for speakers and for groups.

When he decided that it was time to slow down, and I became Chair, he was there with rules, advice, history and anecdote.

We made Ken a Life Member and although he liked the honour, Ken still insisted on paying his membership subs, because he said it was the right thing to do.

Nottingham U3A also arranged for Ken to be on the national U3A Roll of Honour. He enjoyed that recognition as well as the party we gave him to note the occasion.

Ken was the most active, best known and best remembered of our members.