Ian McGaw — August 7, 1940-June 19, 2024

THE former organiser of the Henley half marathon has died, aged 83.

Ian McGaw was born on August 7, 1940 in Liverpool, where he worked as an insurance broker.

He stood four times as a Conservative parliamentary candidate. The first time was in St Helens in 1970 against the Labour incumbent Leslie Springs.

In 2015, Ian recalled: “It was a 20,000 majority which I reduced by 5,000. If I had had the same result in Blackburn, I would have defeated Barbara Castle.”

In February 1974, he stood against Mrs Castle in Blackburn.

Ian, who was then working in Liverpool for Willis Faber, recalled: “I was living in Liverpool and travelling to Blackburn five nights a week.

“In 1970 it had been a straight fight between the Conservatives and Labour but in 1974 the National Front and the Liberals stood. The Liberals put forward their candidate on the day that nominations closed.”

Mrs Castle held the seat for Labour with a 6,300 majority. In October that year another election was called and Mrs Castle won again, this time with a majority of about 7,600.

Ian said: “I stood because there was a very quick election and it was inappropriate, in my view, to attempt to move to another constituency.”

He stood for the fourth time in 1979 against Labour’s Jack Straw but the future home secretary won with a majority of almost 5,500 votes and remained Blackburn MP until he retired in 2015. Ian then gave up on his ambition to become an MP.

He said: “My divorce was coming up in 1980 and I was not willing to stand on a public platform and have my personal life open to scrutiny.”

He served as a parish councillor in Windle, near St Helens, in 1983 but resigned when he moved to Henley a year later.

“I enjoyed it all,” he said. “It was a stimulating experience. I would encourage anybody of any party to become involved.”

Ian moved to Lauds Close and became involved with a number of community organisations.

He was vice-chairman of the Henley Citizens Advice Bureau for a year and was also chairman of trustees and chairman of the Friends of the bureau for six years, the maximum period allowed, from 1999 to 2005. He also helped save the Thame bureau from closure with the help of friends Bill Parrish and Peter Allen, from Henley.

He was the Henley bureau chairman for two years and governor of The Henley College for more than 13 years.

Ian became a member of the Rotary Club of Henley Bridge in 1986 and was twice awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship, which is named after the organisation’s founder. He served as club president three times.

He was a serving elder at Christ Church for two years and became a non-serving elder, providing companionship to 15 members of the congregation. He also helped the Christ Church centre with insurance issues.

Ian was president of the Reading Insurance Institute in 1996 and retired in 1997.

He was a member of Henley Rowing Club and became a member of Henley Rugby Club in 1984 and was a season ticket holder for more than 16 years. He had previously volunteered in the office at Dry Leas.

Ian organised the Henley half marathon for nine years until 2011. During this time, the event raised more than £100,000 for local and international charities. In the early years, he had to key in each one of the 2,000-plus runners’ names.

In 2013 he was awarded the town medal in recognition of his community work after being nominated by town councillor Stefan Gawrysiak. In his nomination speech, Councillor Gawrysiak said: “He did not quite make it to Right Honourable Ian McGaw but anyone who has met Ian knows that he is definitely ‘the Honourable Ian McGaw’.

“Ian’s wit and humour is brilliant. He will make quips and off-the-cuff comments that make people laugh and, at the appropriate moment, will prick pomposity.

“I rang Ian today to get my facts straight and we were musing on his humour. He said he would bring a hanky to wipe away the tears during my speech.

“I can truly say that Henley is a brighter place for having Ian here — he is a shining example of community involvement and is eminently suitable to receive the Henley town medal.”

Ian said: “It came completely out the blue without warning but I am thrilled.

“I am still learning the right occasions when the chain can be worn. I have it, not quite under lock and key, but in a secure location and I am looking forward to every occasion when I can use it.”

In 2015, Ian married Molika Kave at Christ Church. She was given away by friend Christine Wilkinson and the best man was Peter Wilkinson. A reception was held at Phyllis Court Club.

Ian passed away in hospital in Kent on June 19 after a period of ill-health. He is survived by his wife and stepson Maliko. His funeral took place in Liverpool on Wednesday.