AFTER nine great years of loyal service with the Warrington Visually Impaired People (WVIP), popular character Howard Isherwood has retired.
He received a fantastic send-off at the Fairfield and Howley Old School community centre from all his friends and admirers.
Howard wore several hats during this time that included cook, entertainments officer with his famous quizzes and bingo sessions and companion for members on their WVIP annual holidays at places like Llandudno, Blackpool and beyond.
Gail Bretherton WVIP manager said, “Howard blended in well with the member’s wicked sense of humour and they said that his cooking was worthy of a Michelin Star.”
Howard said at his presentation: “It has been a privilege to work for the charity for the last 9 years and I have met wonderful people who are like family.
“It has been great to collaborate with fantastic volunteers, staff and of course members.
“I plan to pop into the centre now and again to keep an eye on you all, especially the cheeky ones and have a game of bingo. Lots of love to you all.”
Howard used to travel the seven and a half miles from Lowton to the centre by bus and often on his bicycle. He came to the WVIP because his eyesight, was failing. Fortunately, an operation did improve his vision slightly but not enough to drive a car. On one of his cycles into work he swerved to avoid a young girl who stepped off the pavement in front of him. She was unhurt due to his evasive. Howard ended up face down in the road and had to push his broken bike the last mile or so to the centre, battered, bruised and with cracked ribs.
Former Mayor of Warrington and WVIP trustee, Geoff Settle said “Howard being Howard soldiered on into work to let everyone know what had happened before heading for the A&E. Despite our concerns about him needing to rest and recover he was back within a couple of weeks.
“We have fantastic staff and volunteers like Howard. During the pandemic they organised shopping and food parcels for our members. They recorded entertainment, songs, stories and Christmas Pantos and Carols on pen drives for members to listen to on their Boom Boxes at home.
“The society is like being part of a family and Gail’s roped her husband Keith to help with redecorating dining room, using a very tall ladder.”
Howard will be missed for his variety of costumes that included Star Wars, stormtrooper, pixie, pirate, dressing up on horseback let us just say he is eccentric and brightened up the centre. He even oversaw the development of the Garden of Tranquillity a sensory garden for the members.
Trustee George Consantinou said, “A true legend of Warrington and WVIP already missed by everyone” while and Janet Bates wrote on the WVIP Facebook, “A wonderful man, I liked his humour. He made everyone laugh and will be missed a great deal.” While WVIP member Dorothy said, “Howards a lovely fella he brings so much joy to us when he sings, something he doesn’t do enough of.”
Howard was presented with lovely gifts but one that stood out was a painting of an owl that had been done by the late John Mason who was not only a lovely painter and photographer, despite his poor eyesight, but he used to join Dorothy in the sing-a-longs on the bus trips.
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Many thanks that tribute will mean so much to all at the WVIP ❤️