Page 10 - HGS Suburb News 152 - Winter 2022

His primary education was at the architectural advisor, David
S U B U R B Marlborough – a forbidding Davidson, who reminded me of
Victorian and asphalt pile in Sloane the details of his tenure and his
Avenue – and later he took the management skills:
erratic number 22 bus to Emmanuel “Richard understood and
School in Battersea – like Henrietta appreciated the Suburb and knew why
Barnett school, voluntary aided, it deserved the protection of the Trust.
though now a public school. As Chair, he was a warm and kind
Emmanuel was one of the better presence, endlessly patient and
non-fee-paying schools in the encouraging, steering the organisation
area but he failed to thrive there, through some difficult times with
possibly because, having been immense good sense and authority.
born in mid-August, he was the The staff enjoyed his regular visits to
youngest in his class in a school the office, always offering sound advice
which sat most public exams a year and good humour and taking the time
early. Failing to get the grades for to talk to everyone. He was instrumental
university at the close of the in arranging the transfer of Central
swinging sixties, his summer Square to the Trust from Barnet. He
outdoor clerking job at his father’s convinced his colleagues that the Trust
solicitor’s Dickensian offices in the would be a better long-term custodian
churchyard of St Paul’s Covent for the centrepiece of the Suburb,
Garden resulted in five year articles. managing it for the benefit of all
Those five years gave him his residents and significantly improving
wings, a soaring confidence in his its appearance. Richard left the Trust
PEOPLE
skills and abilities, and lifelong on a sound financial footing and much
friendships. So when the firm enriched by his contribution. We will
couldn’t afford to keep him on remember him as an inspirational
after he qualified he wandered chair and a wise and humorous man.”
Richard Wiseman – a self-portrait encapsulating three of his major interests:
grandchildren, photography, and the architectural order of Greek columns down the road to the Strand and Richard’s relatively early
a job in Shell’s legal team. His death has been devastating for
His childhood was not career there was stellar, but not his family. Our final project was
Richard particularly easy. It wasn’t long really relevant here. our ‘lockdown garden’ designed
by Stephen Crisp who we were
after the war, London was still
Meanwhile, we had married. It
pockmarked with bomb sites, took three years and a baby to lure introduced to by Richard Townley
Wiseman housing and money were both in Richard to North West London: as a result of the Central Square
short supply and the family lived
project. It became a place of
dull by his architectural standards
in flat conversions in the red- but a place of friendship and relaxation, comfort and happiness
brick Edwardian terraces off the community. We spent three years as his life drew to a close.
1951 - 2022 King’s Road. He spent his school in Melbourne where he honed his His greatest delight though,
holidays at the V&A, roaming, contract writing skills on submarine and the achievement of which he
surprised and delighted by the pipelines and climbed the was most proud, was his family:
LUCY WISEMAN extent of human artistry and corporate ladder. Then came the our three children Sam, Rebecca
ingenuity. He had lifelong interests move to Hampstead Garden and Jonathan, and their children
ichard was born in St George’s in science, exploration and the Suburb. He developed an interest Adam, Laurie, Dov, Beatrice and
Hospital at Hyde Park Corner arts, became a skilled and talented in the legal aspects of the estate Zev. He was entirely grateful that
R and grew up in the tall- painter and photographer, an and planning and delighted in all three of the children were
windowed terraces of Chelsea, enthusiastic traveller, and was the architecture. happily partnered and able to
a very different townscape from fascinated by the measurement He took early retirement from support themselves whilst realising
Hampstead Garden Suburb. of time, amassing a significant Shell and was soon invited by the primacy of family life.
collection of timepieces. Angus Walker to join the Trust That he enriched so many lives
His formal education was less where he chaired the council for and strengthened the organisations
inspiring, despite sharing a maths six years between 2013 and 2019. he supported is a legacy which
teacher with Tim Berners-Lee. In the words of the Trust’s would have satisfied him.

Volunteer at Proms at St Judeʼs

RON FINLAY We need enthusiastic and try to match you with a task you
capable volunteers to help with would be happy to participate in.
he 2023 Proms at St Jude’s catering and stewarding during Whatever time commitment
Music and Literary festival the festival. Or join one of a range you can offer us and whatever
Truns from 24 June to 2 July of committees working year round your skills, there will be
and there are lots of opportunities to put on the festival. They cover something you can do to help us
to join us and help out. You’ll everything from education and make Proms 2023 a fun, enjoyable
meet new people, make new fund-raising to music planning, and inclusive event.
friends, and be doing something social media and logistics. Now is the time to apply.
We are your local worthwhile for Hampstead Garden We want you to enjoy your Please go to www.promsatstjudes.
Suburb and the wider community. volunteering experience and will org.uk/volunteering to register.
Funeral Director

in Hampstead Garden Suburb
624 Finchley Road, NW11 7RR

020 8455 4992 | levertons.co.uk
f nchleyroad@levertons.co.uk

6 branches across North London: Camden Town | Golders Green
Gospel Oak | Hampstead | Kentish Town | Muswell Hill

Proms volunteers
(Photo: Michael Eleftheriades)
10 10 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERSNEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS
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