In August, Tom Croft (SH 42-47) was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire. The following appreciation comes from the Preston North Rotary Club:

“Thomas Croft is one of those Prestonians, born and bred, who have worked tirelessly and in a quiet way for the public good. He epitomises the Proud Prestonian. He was born in the city, and was educated at Woodlands School, Hutton Grammar School and St. Bees, before leaving to start his apprenticeship as a bricklayer at age 16. He attended the then Harris Technical College, a predecessor of UCLAN, on a part time basis over 4 years. On his 21st birthday, he went to work as a site manager in Canada for 3 years. During that time, he studied for a building degree, by correspondence and took exams at Dalhousie University In Nova Scotia. In this way, he typifies many people, who, before expansion of higher education over the past twenty years, studied part time, while working and we should not underestimate how demanding this is. He returned to his family building business in Preston, where he spent all his working life. At the same time, he shared his building knowledge with young people by spending the next ten years as a part time lecturer at Preston Technical College. Alongside a very busy job in the family, business, Tom Croft devoted much of his precious time to public service. He spent 25 years as a member of Lancashire County Council, was appointed the first Honorary County Alderman and then Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire. He spent ten years as Chairman of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime, and served as both Vice Chairman of Lancashire Police Authority and also Chairman of the Police Committee. He has been closely involved with education in the county. He has been a member of the Board of Governors at both Whitechapel Primary school and Fulwood High School. Closer to home, he joined the Lancashire Polytechnic Board, at a crucial stage in its development and it is out of the old polytechnic that the vibrant and successful UCLAN has evolved, eventually becoming its Chair. He then moved to the Board of Preston College, where he served for 23 years, with more than 20 as chairman.

His work with young people has also been reflected in his support for local sporting activities. He spent 25 years as Chairman of the Lancashire Playing Fields Association, not to speak of his 35 year involvement as Chairman and President of Longridge Cricket Club. He also spent 10 years as a board member of the Prince's Trust and 25 years as Trustee of Harris Childrens Home. This work was recognised by his being presented with a certificate for Services to Young People by the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace. He describes it as one of his proudest moments.

As well as the wider community of Lancashire Tom Croft has made a major contribution to the local community of Longridge, where he lives. Thus, he served for 20 Years as Chairman of the trustees of Bushell House in Goosnargh, and has been a trustee of Longridge Band and a President of Preston North Rotary Club. In such spare time as he has, he enjoys spending time with his 5 grandsons, gardening and all sports.

Thomas Croft is one of those people who have, in a quiet way, devoted themselves to public service, much of which may be boring, such as sitting on committees, but all of it essential to the smooth and effective operation of the public services. He has made a huge contribution to civic life in both Preston and Lancashire.”

The St. Beghian Society,
St. Bees School, St. Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0DS
Tel: 01946 828093
osb@st-bees-school.co.uk