Roland Bolton, a great friend and TD colleague, died earlier today. Roland had been running events for the EBU and for Surrey and other counties in the South-East for as long as I have been aware of such things. He always brought energy to organising and running events and a commitment to ensuring everything went right. When I started as a trainee director for the EBU, it was invariably with Roland as director in charge.
If he did not teach me everything I know, I nevertheless learnt a great deal from Roland. In the early days, he was very encouraging that I learn the right things to do and equally keen that I should not learn bad habits as a TD. He continued to encourage and support me as I rose through the ranks, and was pleased and proud of my promotions.
Soon before moving from the South-East, I found myself in charge of the big one-day event in Surrey; for many years this was the biggest such event in the country and Roland's piece de resistance. This was the biggest event I have been in charge of (before or since). Roland had been unavailable (hence my appointment) but when his travel plans fell through, he was brought in as a TD. I am sure there was some doubt among the players that I was really in charge, but Roland was magnaminous and allowed me to get on with it. It is a testament to Roland's mentoring that the event went without a hitch.
Since moving to the South-West, we continued to work together at national events. He remained a great friend and a support through my medical problems and redundancy. We last met at the EBU TD Panel weekend last October, where he continued to show a determination that all TDs (new and old) should know what was right and to do things the right way. He will be remembered with great fondness.
