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• Valerie Evans

Valerie Ann Evans

12th May 1936 - 1st December 2011

It was with much sadness that we learned Valerie Evans passed away last month, having bravely fought kidney failure for 3 years.

Valerie was an active member of DGS for over 20 years and during that time, aside from being a valuable member of the Committee, enthusiastically supported the Society in many ways. In particular she will be remembered for:

• organising fund raising events such as a fish & chip supper and afternoon tea parties in her garden,
• extending hospitality at her home for extra guitar rehearsals
• participating, and representing DGS, in various musical events, both local and further afield,

Valerie was musical from an early age, achieving Grade 8 piano by the end of her school years and encouraged all her family (four sons and one daughter) to learn musical instruments. She took up classical guitar in her 40’s, keen to play a more “sociable” instrument and most enjoyed playing as part of an ensemble. Outside of DGS Valerie was a leading member of Maurice Albin’s guitar evening class and regularly gave independent concerts, usually as a duo or trio. Her last performance was in August this year, as part of “Strings Attached”, accompanying “The Strolling Players” (a local group of poetry readers, of which Valerie’s husband, Michael, is a member).

Valerie took great pleasure from music, but she was absolutely passionate about her garden. With Michael’s assistance their own garden was regularly opened to the public so that it could be enjoyed by many people - and raise considerable sums for local charities to boot. 14 years of hard work was finally recognised in 2010 when Valerie’s garden won the Dorset Wildlife Trust award for best wildlife-friendly garden in Dorset in its category.

Whilst Valerie liked to perform musically and show off her garden she was far more modest about her professional life. She qualified as an SRN in her youth but returned to college in the late 70’s to pursue a Certificate in Education. This led to her specialising in teaching children and adults with dyslexia and later becoming a regular visiting lecturer at Bournemouth and Poole College.

Cycling was another activity Valerie and Michael were able to enjoy together and, once again signifying the great enthusiasm for everything she tackled; Valerie was a great supporter of Dorset Cycle Network. Even whilst seriously ill in Dorchester Hospital in 2009 her campaigning continued and she successfully recruited members from her hospital bed.

We will look back and remember Valerie as an extremely talented, enthusiastic and friendly person and we will sorely miss her at future society meetings.