William Tremayne – A Tribute

AMONG the many tributes that have been paid to William Tremayne, of Great Milton, who died recently, is that of fellow Thame Classic Motor Club member and Thame?s Deputy Mayor, Nigel Champken-Woods.
As a friend and fellow ?twinner?, I too would like to add my own thoughts. (Ed.)
Writing in the Motor Club?s magazine, The Oily Rag, Nigel referred to William?s renowned sense of humour, when he turned up for a meeting in a bright red Lomax three-wheeler which he referred to as ?the Jammy Dodger?. Both this vehicle, which his wife Angela refused to travel in, and William?s Citroen Light 15, often carried him to Montesson, Thame?s twin town in France, where one or the other was proudly included in the town carnival procession every September.
Indeed, William was a very active supporter of the Thame Twinning Association, where he was the accepted champion gleaner of raffle prizes, a role relished by few in any organisation, one which he however excelled at, using a mixture of friendly bluster, charm (especially if it was a middle-aged lady he was appealing to) or making one feel mean for not sharing his enthusiasm for the cause.
William threw himself into everything he became involved in with great gusto and one of my greatest memories of him is himself dressed up for the part of Town Cryer, having lost one his home-made baco-foil buckles, striding around the town, ringing a bell, yelling in his most English of voices and with his somewhat militaristic bearing, gathering the shoppers to attend the official opening of Montesson Square.
It was evident from the most moving speeches given by William?s two sons at his Humanist funeral service, that his relationship with them was an inspiring one(he build and flew his own hang glider!) and that the love between him and Angela, whom he met at Cambridge University, was the bedrock of this lovely family.
As Nigel said, William was a strong character with definite views which he wasn?t averse to stating, but he was a great friend and committed supporter of both the Motor Club and the Twinning Association and we are all missing him very much.