Page 132 - Redditch People

Redditch People

At the outbreak of war “Geoff, as he became known, joined the Royal Engineers to
continue his surveying interests but soon got seconded to Military Intelligence for five
years. After returning to Redditch he worked as a Municipal Engineer until his retirement
in 1974

Shortly afterwards he put an advert in the local paper for people interested in the history
of Redditch to attend a meeting to start a historical society and compile information that
would be of interest to generations to come.

The society was formed and further meetings took place. ”Geoff” also did some precise
and accurate line drawings of places of interest like the old Water Tower, the Round House
and St Stephens Church.

He was a jovial sort of man, always on the look- out for a new idea or way of doing things,

and during his retirement spent a lot of time doing his research for his life- long ambition-

his book. This was published in 1984 after his death. His other interests were

Archaeology and Needle making

Forge Mill, was a needle-scouring works until it closed in 1958 and is now this museum
thanks to the efforts of volunteers led by Geoff Rollins. Sadly Geoff died a year before
money from Redditch District Council enabled the museum to open in 1983

Helen Russell

Athlete

Helen is World Champion Duathlete and Triathlete -
and a member of the Bromsgrove and Redditch
Athletics club and trains at Abbey Stadium. Helen Russell
(Source: www.hrussell.co.uk)
Since competing in her first triathlon in 2006 Helen
has been very successful in multi-sport competitions,
securing a number of victories and podium places in
both, local, national and international Triathlons,
Duathlons and Aquathlons.

Helen has represented Great Britain in Triathlon and
Duathlon at an international level.

In 2010 she was voted the Bromsgrove Advertiser
Sports Personality of the Year award.

Source/Researched by: www.hrussell.co.uk

Page: 132 © RLHS 2015