The Collection of West Country Tokens formed by the late Richard Dinwiddy

Richard Dinwiddy

Richard grew up in Bicknoller, on the edge of the Quantocks, surrounded by his maternal Jennings family. Throughout his life, whether walking his dogs as a child, or walks with his family as an adult, the Quantocks would be the spiritual home for a man who was very much Somerset through and through.

He spent his formative years at Taunton School, as a boarder in Fairwater house. Perhaps more of a sportsman than an academic, he developed his love for cricket at an early age and was a fearsome fast bowler in his youth, representing Somerset CCC 2nd XI on many occasions, while as a clubman, Richard was very proud to reach his 60 years of service on and off the pitch in every capacity at Taunton Cricket Club.

Despite his height and strength, his rugby career was brief. Peaking as a goal-kicking second row for the third fifteen, his eyesight was so poor that he had to guess where the posts were, but he did claim to have been drafted to play for Wasps against the school when they were short.

In a time when University was a less common route into work than today, Taunton School was followed by a career as a valuer and chartered surveyor, including 25 years at the Bristol and West Building Society. Richard’s first job was at Hunts where his academic record was glossed over, in part, he later admitted, thanks to his Father’s freemasonry connections.

His career ended prematurely in 1996 when, after a short but very serious illness, he received a lifesaving heart transplant. I don’t think anyone expected that it would provide him with an amazing, additional 27 years of life.

An unassuming and straightforward man, apart from cricket, Richard enjoyed the simple pleasures of watching Taunton Rugby Club, playing skittles, coin collecting, gardening, his cats (12 in total over the years) and classical music.

Most importantly he was a loving and supportive father to Ian and Chris, a kind and gentle grandfather to six grandchildren, and he loved spending time with his family as much as we loved being with him.

Ian Dinwiddy