Arthur Peter Osborne (“Oz”) 1936-2017
Arthur Osborne died on March 20th 2017, aged 80. Oz was an enthusiastic supporter of Woodlarks from the 1960s or many years.
Oz grew up in Wellington, Shropshire moving to The Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough as an apprentice. On completing his apprenticeship in 1960 he moved to Birmingham to work for Lucas Girling on vehicle brakes. He worked at Girling until his retirement, returning to Shropshire to live in Eaton Constantine.
Oz responded to an advert in “The Scouter” magazine sometime in the 1960s asking for volunteers for Woodlarks.
Oz had a lifelong interest in Scouting, from early days with the 2nd Wellington to the 24th Birmingham. He introduced many of his Scouts to Woodlarks, some of whom are still volunteering.
Besides Scouting and Woodlarks, Oz was involved in many Church activities. He sang in church choirs and helped maintain the fabric of the church. During “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland Oz took groups of young people from across the sectarian divide for respite breaks in Birmingham.
Oz was famously eccentric. He once contracted food poisoning so badly that he missed Xmas with his family. He attributed the illness to eating a kipper, immediately resolving to eat the other kipper to prove his point.
Oz was cremated at Telford Crematorium on April 7th.