Super Syd . . . Thanks from the PCP: Syd Howarth was a devoted PCP Trustee for over 9 years and voting member who cared passionately for the local community, giving his time freely to support others. PCP trustees, staff and volunteers are deeply saddened by his death and remember his huge character and positive outlook with great fondness. Syd was never one to shy away from sharing his opinion during board meetings and was tenacious in his approach to ensuring that everything PCP did was for local people.
Carol Gaskarth, PCP Chief Exec said, “I was delighted when Syd joined PCP’s Board of Trustees in 2008. Having known Syd for many years I knew he would be honest and forthright when sharing his views and challenge the status quo, qualities I really respected. Syd was always keen to champion success and raise awareness of our work but also was a great support to me during more difficult times. He was a true gentleman and someone who has made a lasting impression on me and my career.
“Syd lived life to the full, seeing potential wherever he went, and always encouraging people to celebrate success and grab opportunities by both hands. Syd stepped down as a Trustee because of his illness earlier this year but was still keen to keep updated with what was happening and we were very grateful of his ongoing support.
“My heart goes out to his family and friends at this very difficult time. He will be a huge miss, and I am honoured to have known him, his work and memory in the town will be everlasting.”
PCP Chair of Trustees Barry Knevitt added, “On behalf of PCP Trustees, staff and volunteers I would like to personally thank Syd for his work, both as a Trustee and as the Editor of Newton News. Syd keenly promoted the work of the charity and was an excellent ambassador for PCP projects and services. As we reflect upon the fond memories we have of Syd, we know many others will also be thinking about his good work. The breadth of his impact stretches far wider than Newton Aycliffe and the legacy he leaves is outstanding. We send our deepest condolences to Syd’s family at this difficult time.
__________________________________________
Mr Newton News: It is a true ‘grandfather clock’ story. For half a century, Syd Howarth was, for all of us Newtonians, “Mr Newton News”. And by providence, only days after he ceased to be the Editor of his media creation, the clock stopped ticking, “never to go again”.
It is the stuff of legends and, indeed, that is what Syd Howarth was and will be.
GOOD WORKS
Syd Howarth was a pillar and leader of the Newton Aycliffe community since the 1960s.
As a member of the local Rotary Club – District Governor in 2005 – he was closely involved with its fundraising for charity, notably the West Africa Trust, for which he was a trustee. And, through the Rotary Club, he worked for the community he had adopted as his home, contributing to local civic ventures such as the initiative to improve the entrance to the town under the so-called ‘Blue Bridge’ (2005), and the project which culminated in the erection of a stunning War Memorial (2008).
Syd formed the Aycliffe Residents’ Association GARA, and the VCO networking organisation GACAP. He was for many years also the Chairman of the Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre, in which position he contributed to the development of the youth of the town, peaking with the achievement in 2004 of the construction of a new-build Youth Centre next to the town centre park.
AT THE NEWTON NEWS
However, it was as editor of the local free newspaper, the Newton News, that Syd Howarth had the greatest impact on the life of the town.
I cannot stress how important this has been. Newton Aycliffe did not exist before 1948. When I came to the town in the 1970s it was in the grip of the ‘new town blues’. To build 30,000 disparate and disconnected ‘incomers’ into the flourishing communities of today has been a task of the greatest difficulty and importance, but one in which the Newton News, under Syd’s commercial and editorial guidance, has played an invaluable role.
Since its inception in 1963, the Newton News has been the voice of the town. It has carried articles and photographs of all the town’s major milestones, as well as innumerable reports on local clubs and personal achievements. Under Syd Howarth it tirelessly campaigned for the town – for everything from proposals for seats beside the park lake, to campaigns to reduce rents in the town centre. Syd was also always prepared to give over space for local politicians to share their opinions, so the Newton News has been through the years a vehicle for local debate and controversy, keeping residents engaged as well as informed.
RECOGNITION AND LEGACY
How wonderful, then, that in 2016, whilst he was still alive to enjoy it, Syd received recognition for his peerless contribution to the forming of Newton Aycliffe, when he was awarded the MBE. Typically, he did not go to Buckingham Palace to receive the honour from the Queen, but chose instead to have the award given him by the Lord Lieutenant, at a party he gave for family, friends and colleagues, in the town he loved.
At the ceremony, as part of his acceptance speech, Syd sang the song which had underlain all his work and life – “If I can help somebody, as I pass along … then my living shall not be in vain”. It summed up the humble impact of this unassuming but influential man. He did not vaunt to change the world. He lived in the world as he found it, built up his business, cared for his close-knit loving family … and just did kind deeds whenever the need arose, and was good and true always.
Yet, by doing so for decades, through his community involvement and the pages of the Newton News, Syd Howarth shaped this town, and its attitudes.
If we are what we are as a town today, what we are is in no small part the outworking of Syd’s life. And the community we have become is his legacy.
John D Clare
__________________________________________
A True “One off”: Syd was so kind and caring and devoted his life to helping and supporting his community.
I first met Syd through his involvement with Rotaract and he gave me so much support when we opened the Butterwick Hospice.
It was always a great pleasure to be with this kind and warm hearted man with a great sense of humour.He continually amazed me with the time, effort and enthusiasm he devoted to so many organisations, camera in hand and a beaming smile.
His interest and influence extended to all people, young, old and all nationalities.
Syd was a true “one off”, with a heart of gold, a true zest for a fulfilled life and a burning desire to make life better for others.
He was truly loved and will be greatly missed.
Mrs Sue Snowdon
(Co. Durham Lord Lieutenant)
Beachburn Farm
__________________________________________
“Service Above Self”: Syd was a valued member of The Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe for 36 years – we will miss him. He served as President in 1998/1999 and was an enthusiastic leader of the Club. He always had a positive determination to ensure that his ideas came to fruition and over the years he enabled the club to complete many community projects for the benefit of the town – for example the War Memorial, the Blue Bridge repainting programme, the nature reserve on the Business Park, the Community Carol Concert in December each year.
The legacies of Syd’s life will be everywhere in the town for us all to see. He was a skilled business leader able to bring together different groups for the common good.
Syd was District Governor for all the Rotary Clubs in North East England in 2004/2005 which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the worldwide Rotary movement. To mark this anniversary it was Syd’s idea for Rotary North East to donate to Durham Cathedral an Eternal Flame to be placed above the tomb of St Bede, where it remains to this day.
The motto of Rotary is ‘Service above self’ and Syd worked internationally as well as locally. Along with members of his family and friends he founded the West Africa Trust in 2005, and was able to provide £100,000 of aid to Rotarians in West Africa. This was used on over 30 projects for the benefit of the local communities.
In recognition of his contributions Syd was made an Honorary Life Member of The Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe when he became ill. He has also over the years been honoured with THREE Paul Harris Fellowships, which is the highest award of Rotary International, given to acknowledge outstanding service to others.
Geoff Knapton
Secretary
Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe
__________________________________________
Thanks to Syd: “A Legend in his Lifetime”. The good people of Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area will, I know, share the grief many folk will feel at Syd’s passing – not only because of the great contribution he made to community life but also for the most professional manner in which he produced and edited Newton News for the past half-century. The service Syd gave to the community for so long and via so many local organisations made him a legend in his lifetime. I knew him as a true philanthropist, Rotarian and fellow newspaperman. What perhaps is not so well-recognised is that he was also a visionary. Long before many other people in the media, Syd recognized that the future of the newspaper industry lay in local publications reporting ordinary events in a no-nonsense manner. He frequently stood up for his beliefs against those who would have him toe the line and for that alone he won many friends. Syd will be missed from the editor’s chair at Newton News as well as by people throughout the county to whom he gave unstinting support in many ways. RIP Syd. I cannot imagine you will ever be forgotten.
Ron Eyley.
Editor: Ron Eyley is a recently-retired multi-award-winning journalist and public relations consultant.
__________________________________________
Rest In Peace Good Friend: The sudden death of Syd Howarth MBE will indeed be a significant loss to our community. He has been a wonderful ambassador for goodness and kindness as well as getting people and organisations to work together for good causes. He has taken every opportunity to promote our area and encouraged businesses to come here as a base. His legacy to this area will not be forgotten and he will be remembered with fondness for what he has achieved.
The contribution he has made to raising awareness of the many charities has been significant and I wish to personally record my thanks to him for the enormous support he gave to the MRI scanner appeal for Darlington and Bishop Auckland Hospitals. I am pleased that he was able to see them in place before he passed away.
Rest in peace, good friend.
Professor Paul Keane OBE
Chairman
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
__________________________________________
