Story
This page is in memory of Richard Graves, former Senior Lecturer at the British School of Leather Techology, The University of Northampton. Please make any donation in his memory for the Leather and Hides Trades Benevolent Institution. Many thanks for your kind donation.
The Corium Club, BSLT.
In memory of Richard Graves by Dick Roy, Head of BSLT 1986 - 2002
"Richard gained a First Class Diploma at the National Leathersellers College in Bermondsey and won his leather making spurs over nearly twenty years in the rugged conditions of Garston Tanning Co and R.B.Sanders. In 1980 he joined BSLT where he became a Senior Lecturer. He was a true all-round "leatherman".
When I joined BSLT as Head in 1986 I was new to the leather industry and Richard was foremost among those who readily gave me the essential help and support that I needed to learn the ropes. His gregarious personality led to a worldwide network of contacts which was unique in size and scope and of great benefit to student recruitment as the School expanded its horizons. One example: By the time the doors opened and we would walk out of lift in a hotel in some faraway part of the world, he would be on friendly terms with everyone else in the lift, whether they spoke English or not!. A rare gift and a rare man.
Whatever else, he was intensely caring and loyal to his three daughters, his students (continuing long after they left college), the leather industry and Liverpool FC. One thing that did sadden him over the years was the gradual decline of the British leather industry and he would certainly approve of the work of the Leather and Hide Trades Benevolent Institution.
Richard was a generous man. Please be generous in your response to his Memorial Fund." Dick Roy, BSLT 1986 - 2002