Obituary: Colin Rodway
Published: 3 January 2012
Colin Rodway, former BHF national president and owner of Rodways hardware store in Ledbury, Herefordshire, died on December 29 after a long illness. He was 67.
Mr Rodway spent a lifetime in the hardware trade, starting in 1959 and then opening his own business in 1989. But he put the business up for sale in October last year, after he was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder.
He promised customers that he would carry on trading until it was sold, and was determined to sell the shop on as a DIY and hardware business.
He was an enthusiastic supporter of the British Hardware Federation (now BIRA), and was a past chairman of his local BHF branch as well serving as national president in 2006-7. He was appointed a director of BHF Direct in October 2002, and of the BHF trustee company in May 2004. He was also president of Malvern Rotary Club in 1989-91
"Colin was a well-liked, affable and helpful high street businessman," said John Eager, a fellow trader in Ledbury.
The funeral is at 11am on 17 January at Holy Trinity Church, North Malvern Road, Malvern, WR14 4LR, followed by a private family committal at Worcester Crematorium. The wake will be at The Worcestershire Golf Club, Wood Farm Road, Malvern Wells. Family flowers only, but donations to the Amyloidosis Research Fund should be sent to FW Spilsbury Funeral Directors, 12 Upper Howsell Road, Malvern WR14 1TL.