Richard joined the Hillman Imp Club in 1992 and quite quickly became one of those Club members who would get things organised. Taking over as Events Secretary in 1992, and then also as Public Relations Officer, Richard delivered award-winning exhibition stands for the Club for some 32 years, with fabulously themed displays, created by endless imagination, effort and ingenuity, rather than large budget. He actively encouraged younger generations to bring their Imps to events and join in keeping the marque and the wider classic car movement alive.
Richard brought together a community of Rootes engineers, drivers, managers and Imp enthusiasts worldwide, creating fabulous events such as IMP 40 & 50 where so many of the original Rootes teams were brought back together. He even persuaded the original designers, Tim Fry and Bob Saward to provide new artwork for Imp 40, celebrating their memories of the creation of a small car that still brings joy all these years later.
During this time he even managed to find time to restore, maintain and drive his own Hillman Imps, the first of which he bought in 1968, and he subsequently owned 4, the family in total owns 7. His son Antoni tended to do the welding part of the restorations, because, as a professional electrician, Richard disliked sparks.
It would be difficult to find anyone who has dedicated more time, effort and soul to “Keeping the Imp Alive”.
Ill health finally obliged him to stand down from club responsibilities, Sadly ill health overcame him and he died at the end of July 2024, but at that time was aware of this award and delighted that his contribution had been recognised. His son, daughter and grandchildren accepted the award on his behalf.
