Tributes paid to Stratford’s Francis Prentice a true champion of the people
TRIBUTES have been paid by lifelong friends in memory of Stratford’s Francis Prentice who valiantly battled cancer until his death last Thursday.
Francis was born and bred in Stratford in 1942 attending first Broad Street Primary School and then Hugh Clopton School where he met lifelong friend Martin Bartlett who was a bit younger than his school pal.
Together the young lads were regulars at Lozells Harriers Athletic Club in Birmingham where they would compete together at various athletic meets across the Midlands.
It was to be the start of a lifetime’s passion of sport for Francis who played football for Stratford Town scoring four goals in a cup match against neighbours Forest of Arden. In later years he became a patron of Stratford Town.
His love of golf earned him the captaincy and then presidency at Stratford Gold Club and this devotion to local sport and his well-known career as a hairdresser offered Francis the perfect opportunity to talk to people and persuade them about one of his most memorable projects when he and fellow Stratford Rotarians pushed hard for the Shakespeare Hospice in Stratford which opened in 1999.
Martin Bartlett told the Herald: “Francis was passionate about the hospice and created the Shakespeare Marathon and half marathon along with other events to raise money for the hospice and other charities especially as there was no local support for a hospice at the time. We always said the hospice is not a place where people go to die and it was never intended to have beds there which is why we have the Hospice at Home service for those diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. Francis was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and he was very open to the public about his situation never thinking that he would need to call on the support of the hospice nursing team one day. He leaves us with a wonderful legacy. Francis will be remembered for his service to the community and we still have the marathon and look at how big that’s become and we have the Shakespeare Hospice which continues to care for people and their families.”
Mr Prentice has also had the pleasure of meeting the new King of England on two occasions, once when he received his MBE in 2012 and again when His Majesty paid a visit to Stratford on Monday, 2nd June 2014.
“When Charles presented me with my MBE we had a simple conversation about Stratford and I said to him that the next time he visits he should pop by the hospice for a cup of tea,” he said.
“Charles said he would so I sent him a letter confirming what we agreed to and low and behold, two years later he came to Stratford.
“He spent far too much time at the hospice and made himself late for his other engagements.
“I remember when he got to the hospice he remembered who I was and he said to me ‘you’re the reason why I’m here’.”
With the passing of Her Majesty the Queen last year, Francis was interviewed by the Herald and said
he had “shed plenty of tears” following the announcement of her death and recalled the occasion he met Her Majesty during a cocktail party at Buckingham Palace some years ago.
“I don’t even know why I was invited,” he joked. “Low and behold, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, turned up and she asked me how I was doing. We got chatting and then Sophie said ‘the Queen would like to meet you’.
“Next thing I know I’m walking with Sophie and then I’m speaking to the Queen. She spoke about how she loved to come to Stratford and she showed an interest in the work we was doing at Shakespeare Hospice and our fundraising efforts.
“We was talking like we’d known each other for ages, it was quite an amazing conversation.
“When we finished our chat she asked for my card but I didn’t have one on me at the time.”
He added: “I feel so privileged to have meet the Queen. She was the most remarkable lady and we have been very lucky to have her.”
Dudley Simpson is another lifelong friend of Francis Prentice and his family.
“I used to have my hair cut by Francis when I was a young boy. He worked at Ladds, Bell Court, Red Lion Court and had a salon in Guild Street. I remember the marathon where we had special guests to start the race like Olympic swimming medallists Duncan Goodhew and Sharon Davies and athlete David Moorcroft we also had summer spectaculars which all raised money for Rotary. His hairdressing skills were also in demand with several actors at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. He was a true gentleman who a driving force for the people of Stratford,” Dudley Simpson said.
A spokesperson for Shakespeare Hospice said: Everyone at The Shakespeare Hospice is saddened about the death of Francis Prentice MBE.
As one of our founding members, Francis was instrumental in the development of the hospice and continued to champion us and our services right to the end. Francis and his family have supported the hospice with huge commitment, enthusiasm and love over the years and we will be forever grateful to them all. His lasting legacy is one of huge strength and support for our community and all those in need of our services.
We were very proud that our Hospice at Home team supported Francis and his family throughout his illness and in his final days.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with Ann and the rest of his family and close friends. Our clinical teams will naturally extend their ongoing support to Francis’ family in the future too.”
