November 2011
- Details
- Roger Bluff
It is with great personal sadness that I report the passing of Bert Oslar. Bert and his late wife Shirley were long standing members of the MSCC with many friends in our Centre. Bert and Shirley were very friendly and approachable; they would enjoy welcoming new people to the Centre. Often it was said to me by new members that the first people they met were Bert and Shirley. Over the years they were enthusiastic attendees of our events wherever we ended up. They particularly enjoyed our trips across to France.
Bert had a varied and long career; in reality he had only just properly retired in the last couple of years. For the best years he was a chauffeur to the “stars”. He told me many stories about those days. One that comes to mind is when he was driving Lee Marvin while they were on the movie DirtyDozen, if I remember correctly, there was a break in filming so Lee Marvin goes to Bert and asks, “Is there any racing on today?” Checking his paper Bert found that the nearest on that day was at Brighton Races. Lee Marvin was a great gambler. So Bert and Lee Marvin spent an enjoyable day in Brighton together. Can you imagine it? Knowing Bert as well as I did, I certainly can. Bert also met the likes of Sean Connery and he told me what a nice man he was, always looking out for the people working with him. My actor friend Paul has confirmed this opinion which I thought was nice to know.
Nevertheless, in Bert’s life, of greatest importance was his wife Shirley and of course his children. They had five children with numerous grand children. They had a happy family life together and I know Bert’s children were devoted to him. With the loss of Bert’s wife Shirley almost nine years ago, Bert was understandably devastated, from which he was never completely reconciled after their long and happy marriage of almost fifty years. I do hope they are now back together, where they belong.
In Bert I had a good friend; he was someone I could turn to and talk to about my problems, hopes and fears. In fact during the lowest part of my life when I lost my mother he was there for me. I will never forget his kindness, help and support. I have lost a true friend. The Centre has lost someone special also. During this saddest of times I would like to send to Steve, Elaine, Sally, Hayley, Jason and family our most heartfelt condolences, on behalf of the Centre. Bert will never be forgotten here at Thames Valley Centre. To live in the heart of those we love is not to die.
Looking forward a little, we are now taking bookings for our Christmas Dinners: please contact Andy Doughty and Mike Aldrich, for the Harte and Magpie and Bird In Hand respectively. I am sure Bert and Shirley will be in our thoughts and memories on these often poignant occasions.
Please don’t forget that this month we have the Veteran Car Run meeting at Newland’s Corner for a run down to Staplefield. If the weather turns nasty, as sometimes happens, please assume the run is off. Fingers crossed, so that this time we and the veterans won’t be confronted with any dire weather warnings as we did the year before last.
There is a change to this month’s National Trust advertised visit; we are going to a grand Tudor house at the Vyne with fine furniture, portraits, textiles and sculpture. The gardens and grounds feature an ornamental lake, woodlands and wetlands, wildlife, waterfowl and bird hide, instead. I hope this won’t inconvenience anyone. It is located at Sherborne St John near Basingstoke RG24 9HL (Hants) (National Trust). http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-thevyne Contact: Roger Bluff I hope to see you there. Our visit to West Wycombe the other month was very enjoyable indeed, so I hope you can make it.
