DAISIE RICH - Key Persons
Mr George Quinton had been the shops foreman for the last twenty-eight years and said that he quite liked the smell. He explained that the air was treated with sulphuric acid and that the acid killed the smell. A later witness then complained that George Quinton was a major source of the offending smell, with the pièce-de-résistance of the witness's statement being that this could be proved simply by sitting by Mr Quinton.
Leap-frogging into a new decade, and circumstances are changing once again in the Rich household. In 1913, Gladys tied the knot and married Edward Dould at St Marylebone Parish Church in London, attended by Daisie in a dress of finest pale pink crepe silk. Upward and Rich's firm bestowed upon Gladys and her new husband a set of silver-mounted boars' tusk carvers, and the lucky newly-weds were also fortunate enough to receive a Sunbeam motorcar. Swish indeed.
But back to Daisie. She had an active life and was a keen member of the Newport V.A.D (Voluntary Aid Detachment): during the course of WWI, she put her skills to good use and served at the Gatcombe House Hospital. She was also a gifted violinist, frequently performing across the island, and went on to become the leader of the Newport Philharmonic Society Orchestra.
Some twenty years later, with the ominous signs of a second world war looming, Daisie got stuck into the business of running the business and became a director of the Upward and Rich firm, overseeing proceedings during WWII. With victory declared in 1945, she continued with her directorship, until her death on the twentieth of September 1955, at The Royal IW County Hospital. As a director, one of her greatest priorities was the welfare of the firms' employees. In turn, the employees held Miss Rich (as they referred to her) in high esteem.
On the fourth of September of that year, Daisie slipped at home and fractured her femur. Her housekeeper attributed this to the fact that Daisie had slippery slippers on her feet at the time, resulting in a slippage on the polished floors. Daisie was recovering well in hospital until she had a heart attack- most likely as a consequence of her accident.
James Attrill comes from a longstanding Isle of Wight farming family. Schooled on the Island, he then graduated from Wye College, London University. Having worked since 1989 in the southern counties, latterly as a partner in a national land agency firm, he is now Island based where he heads up a rural surveying and planning practice. He holds partnerships in the family farm and a property business. Currently president of the Isle of Wight Country Landowners' Business Association, he also holds trusteeships with the Daisie Rich Trust, Isle of Wight High Sheriff's Trust and the RYS Charitable Foundation.
Maurice Flux comes from a longstanding Isle of Wight farming family with a history dating back to 1747. He was educated at Ryde School, where many years later he became a governor, holding positions of Vice Chairman and Chairman of Finance. Upon leaving school he joined the family farming business, which he took over following the death of his father. He was Chairman of the IW National Farmers Union in the early 90's and a Godshill Parish Councillor for 10 Years. For the past 20 years Maurice has also been Chairman of an Island nursing home group. He became a Trustee of the Daisie Rich Trust in 2007.
Ann Medley is a retired teacher, having worked in Isle of Wight schools for over 30 years.
With a background of leadership positions in secondary and special education, she has extensive knowledge and experience of operating within the community. She has been a Trustee of the Daisie Rich Trust since 2007.
Claire Locke is a Deputy Lieutenant and former High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight. Her background is in business and enterprise, although she now devotes her time to various charities and community matters, with particular interest in youth opportunities. She has been a Trustee of the Daisie Rich Trust since June 2015, and was appointed Chair in June 2022.
Dawn Haig-Thomas moved to the Island with her young family in 2012 following a career in management consultancy and international development. Since then, she has participated in the local community through trusteeships with UKSA, CPRE and East Cowes Heritage Centre, as well as being a governor of Ryde School. She has been a Trustee of the Daisie Rich Trust since 2021.
Lyn Mitchell had a 24-year career within domestic banking, working both on and off the Island. She subsequently worked in a Learning Support role at the Isle of Wight College, before taking the position of Administrator / Secretary of the Daisie Rich Trust in 2004.
Naomi Keyte comes from a longstanding Isle of Wight family whose generations date back to pre-15th century. Naomi has worked on the Island in the housing and social care sector for over 25 years and currently heads up care, support and specialist housing services for a housing provider. Naomi has recently developed the Island's first extra care schemes, meeting the council's strategy for strengthening the approach for independent living. Naomi is also a Trustee for a pension board. She became a Trustee of the Daisie Rich Trust in 2021