HAROLD CORSCADDEN

We are sad to report the passing of our dear colleague Harold Corscadden. Harold qualified as an EHO after leaving the Coldstream Guards and attending the special ex-servicemen's course in Manchester between 1945 and 1947. This was followed up with additional qualifications in food inspection and air pollution control.

After qualifying, he held posts in a number of authorities in the Manchester and Liverpool conurbations. Harold worked in Oldham, Hazel Grove at Macclesfield (as the deputy chief inspector) and as chief public health inspector at Farnworth and at Whiston Rural District. Following local government reorganisation in 1974, he became director of environmental health for Knowsley Metropolitan District until his early retirement, in 1981.

Harold joined the North Western Centre Council in 1960 representing the south Lancashire Branch, which he had been instrumental in founding. He became an elected member in 1961. He served as secretary of the centre council from 1963 to 1967, its chairman in 1969/70 and its president from 1972 to 1974. He was closely involved with the centre's education work and was responsible for organising weekend schools and the early Lancaster symposia.

Elected to the Institute's General Council in 1968 and remaining a member until 1980, Harold chaired the General Council Policy and Resources Committee from 1975 through to 1979, and directed the first modern reshaping of the Institute's structure. He was the General Council's chairman in 1977. In 1974, he was appointed advisor in environmental health by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities.

These services to the profession were acknowledged by his election as a fellow in 1968, as an honorary life fellow in 1982 and honorary vice president of the North Western Centre in 1995.

An important part of Harold's life has been playing sports. He was well known in cricket and soccer circles and he qualified as a football referee and officiated at north western matches.

Harold has been a man big in stature, big in intellect, big in service to his profession, and big in service to the community. He was also a proud family man and our sincere condolences go to his wife Dora and children Paul and Ann.

Barrie Whitehead, chairman, CIEH North Western Centre

ALAN BRIAN CROSS

Alan passed away suddenly at home on 11 April 2003, aged 41. Although suffering at the time with a chest infection, the cause of death was a pulmonary embolism. He joined Dudley MBC as a student EHO in 1980, studying at Matthew Boulton College in Birmingham and qualifying in December 1983.

In 1987, he became a senior food EHO, aspiring to become a principal in the commercial division in 1991, following an internal reorganisation. In 2000, Alan became divisional manager, although a recent restructure entailed a name change to food and occupational safety manager. He was instrumental in guiding the food safety team through one of the first audits undertaken by the Food Standards Agency in 2001, a very daunting and challenging period of time.

Recently, he was involved in a number of partnerships, including water for schools, healthy eating, five-a-day, and tobacco control strategies, many of which will hopefully impact on many people's lives in the borough in the future.

Alan's professional interests were not confined to his employment at Dudley alone. He had been an executive committee member of the CIEH's West Midlands Branch for a number of years, representing it on centre council and was undertaking his second period in the chair, commencing in 2002, after an earlier spell in the 1990s. Recently re-elected as chair, his most notable contribution to the branch was resurrecting it after a period in the doldrums when an absence of committee members, together with no planned meetings for a year, marked the lowest point in the branch's history for many years.

His interests outside of work included a passionate love of Formula 1 motor racing, skiing, computers and being a lifelong member of the Scout Association from the age of eight. His last 21 years were spent as a venture scout leader.

Clearly his life has impacted on many people, both inside and outside of his profession. He was always a friendly, willing, selfless person to whom anyone with a problem could turn to for help and assistance. As such Alan made many friends and gained the respect of all who knew him. No better and fitting tribute was shown than at his funeral service at St. Kenelm's Church when the large numbers attending to pay their respects meant that many were unable to get into the church. In accordance with the family's wishes, donations in lieu of flowers were made to Romsley Scout Group in recognition of the commitment made to the group over so many years.

We have all lost a good friend, who will not be forgotten by those who knew him, and our thoughts and prayers at this time are with his father Brian, sister Lynne and partner Judie to whom we extend our sincerest condolences.

Alastair Grant, Chartered EHP (MCIEH)