28 March 2010

In Memoriam - Adrian Reed

The South West Maritime History Society very much regrets to announce the passing of Adrian Reed, one of our 59 founder members and the editor of 'The Newsletter' from issue number 4 in October 1985. This he continued to produce and expand from its original 8 pages to morph into the last edition - No.28 in October 1993, when it had reached 22 pages. This was named 'South West Soundings' in February 1994 (No. 29) reaching 30 pages. Adrian continued to edit it until issue No.43 October 1998, when David Bailey took over from issue 44 February 1999, and introduced the format we still use today under the editorship of Jonathan Seagrave.

Adrian, a retired diplomat, brought those abilities to everything he did - and he did a great deal for our Society, being passionately interested in all things historic. He served as chairman of the Devon History Society and was the respected chairman of the Devon & Exeter Institution - the home of one of the finest local history libraries in the region, founded in the Earl of Devon's Exeter house in 1813.

We send our condolences to his family and friends on their loss.