KCFS tribute | Yorkshire Old Bank Staff

The family of Keith Simpson, who sadly died on 3 April, has asked for the following information to be shared with pensioner colleagues...

Following a private cremation ceremony for close family, there will be a Service of Celebration for Keith's life on Thursday, 25 April at 2.15 pm at The Priory Church, Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL. This will be followed by reception at Ilkley Rugby Club, 2 Denton Road, Ilkley LS29 0AF.

Donations in memory of Keith may, if desired, be made to Manorlands Sue Ryder Hospice and The Priory Church.

Could I please ask you to pass on this information to fellow pensioners with whom you are in regular contact.

photos are from the Pennant and Exchange, staff magazines, unless otherwise stated

Our earliest photo, the staff of Burnley and Nelson branches 1956. Keith is top left.

First Senior Management appointment, 1970, Assistant Regional Controller in Branch Control

Controller Marketing 1973 - 1978

Assistant General Manager 1980 - 1992

The appointments Committee, presided over by Deputy General Manager Bob Bould, 1980

Presentations were a regular part of the job of an AGM.

On the left, the Lomas Walker Cup, presented to the winning ladies in the interdivisional tennis competition in 1980.

On the right, presenting the YB trophy to the captain of the GB swimming team in 1984

And, of course, there were the annual dinner dances held by the regions. All senior officers would attend at least one a year. For some it might have been a chore, but for Keith it was always a pleasure, to be out and about meeting his people.

Here is a selection of a few:

1980

Leeds 1985

Leeds 1988

Pictured on his retirement in 1992

A proud Post Retirement Moment

Finally, the last picture we have of Keith, taken at a re-union of Senior Officers in 2021.

We debated whether or not to show this picture as Keith, (third from left if, like me, you did not recognise him), is obviously not in the best of health. Phil and I decided that in spite of this it shows the great man, like his colleagues, was still "up for it".

From the left: Robert Wade, Brian Sanderson, Keith Simpson, Andrew Stapleton, David Knight, Grahame Savage, John Howley, David Groombridge, me, Phil Lazenby, Keith Sunley, Graham Sunderland, Mike Allsopp

Photo provided by Brian Jones from the YOBS Facebook page