In loving memory of George Davidson who sadly passed away on 16th August 2019
George Davidson, 1942 – 2019
A Senior Lecturer, specialising in the field of Group Theory, and dedicated local politician, George Davidson led a very full and distinguished life.
Born on 23rd March 1942 in Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne, the only child of William Davidson, and his wife Bertha Davidson (nee Watt). The family later moved to Harrogate in 1950 where George attended Bilton Endowed School and then Ashville College, being awarded various scholarships along the way, and developing a love of chemistry. George recalled carrying out experiments that would never be permitted in school today, including the production of sulphuric acid resulting in minor burns and ruined trousers!
In 1960 George was awarded a place at Jesus College Oxford, and an Open Exhibition of £50 per year, where his passion for Chemistry flourished. In his final, research year at Oxford he specialised in Raman Spectroscopy and this was to become an important part of his academic career for over thirty years. He later still went on to write numerous research articles and two books - Introductory Group Theory for Chemists 1971 and Group Theory for Chemists 1991).
It was while at Oxford, George met Diana Huddleston, who was studying to become a Paediatric Occupational Therapist. A borrowed scarf, and summoning the courage to retrieve it the next day led to many enjoyable shopping trips, and walking together along the Iffley Road, happily singing ‘Down Town’ by Petula Clark. They were engaged within months, and celebrated in a favourite pub, with the festivities later moving out to the car park where they and their friends danced to the Rolling Stones feeding coins into a jukebox through a pub window.
While at Oxford, George captained the Jesus College team in University Challenge in 1965 only being narrowly beaten in the semi-final by the team from Oriel College Oxford. To much embarrassment, a letter in the TV Times later referred to them as the ‘Glamour Boys’. Television quiz shows featured again much later when he went on to win Mastermind in 1994.
Graduating from Oxford with a 1st Class honours degree, he went on to study for a further 3 years to complete his Doctorate, focussing on Raman spectroscopy. This involves the study of some very reactive compounds, and health and safety was not a top priority in those days. George recalled one tremendous explosion – with tiny fragments of glass from an adjacent vacuum line flying in all directions, resulting in nasty injuries to one of his friends and colleagues.
While working on his thesis, George moved to the newly founded York University in 1966. It was here, while living in York that George and Di’s first son Tom was born just before midnight on 31st December 1966.
On completion of his Doctorate George left York in 1967, to take up a post of Lecturer at Nottingham University, where he would remain for the rest of his working life. While living in Wilford, George and Di’s second son Matthew was born in November 1968. In 1971 the family moved to Bingham, a place that George and Di loved, and where they would remain. In 1974, George and Di’s third son Hugh was born. The family spent time in India, in Chandigarh during 1978 as George undertook a placement at the university there.
George was involved in local life in a multitude of ways, including the Local History society, Bingham Folk Club (including recording with his sea shanty group The Stormy Weather Boys) and local language speaking groups (French, German and he was learning Swedish). Walking through Bingham with George and Di was never a quick affair, as there were always people to stop and chat with. He was also an avid collector of coins and stamps.
George served as both the Mayor of Rushcliffe and the Mayor of Bingham during his political career. He first entered local politics when he stood for a local election ward in 1975 and in 2018 his lifelong commitment to local politics was recognised when he was presented an award by Rushcliffe District Council for 40 years’ service. He was passionate about politics on both a local, national and international level.
George is survived by his three sons and 5 grandchildren. He was a very warm and loving husband, father and “Granda”, and will be sorely missed by all.
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