* Mike Law who died last week.
* Mike Law (second from right) is one of his most memorable roles, as Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army. Both pictures courtesy of Malcolm Potter.
Tributes
have been paid to one of Llangollen’s best-known figures from the worlds of
amateur dramatics and voluntary work who has died at the age of 80.
For
many years Mike Law was an active member of the Twenty (XX) Club, not only
appearing in many of its most memorable stage productions but also helping out
behind the scenes.
He
was a leading member and past president of Llangollen Rotary Club and also an
enthusiastic volunteer with the International Eisteddfod.
Nearly
a decade ago he founded and remained chair of Llangollen Cancer Support Group.
Mr
Law died at his home in the town last week leaving a wife, two sons and two
grand-daughters.
Born
in Derby, he went on from a local school to study at Liverpool University
following which he worked as a teacher in the city and later became a lecturer
in English and drama at the I.M Marsh College of Education.
After
joining HM Inspectorate of Education he was transferred to its Wrexham office
which is when he moved with his family to Wales.
He
had met his wife Enid, who was originally from Bangor, at an education
conference in Southport when they were both teaching. They were married in
1967.
Both
of their sons trained as journalists, Bryn going on to become a reporter with
Sky Sport and now a freelance sports
commentator living with his family in Leeds. His brother Tom, who once worked
for the Wrexham Leader, is a freelance copywriter based in Cardiff.
The
Laws’ two grand-daughters are Megan, who is at Durham University, and Millie,
who attends a sixth-form college in Leeds.
Despite
taking early retirement from the education inspectorate Mr Law was persuaded to
return to education by undertaking lecturing stints at NEWI, the forerunner of
Wrexham’s Glyndwr University, and eventually become head of the college’s
education department.
He
retired, this time permanently, 20 years ago although remained extremely active
in a number of spheres locally.
He
took prominent roles in the Twenty Club’s most successful productions of the
past decade or so, including playing Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army.
He
twice served as president of Llangollen Rotary Club and was assistant governor
of the local Rotary district.
A
long-standing supporter of the International Eisteddfod, he served at various
times on its town events and outside stages committees. His long service to the
festival was acknowledged when he was appointed as a life member quite recently.
Mr
Law was also a poet and had a book of his work published.
One
of his later achievements was founding the Llangollen Cancer Support Group,
which continues to do much to support those with prostate cancer.
His
wife Enid said: “He did so much with many local organisations that I think he
will be missed very much.”
Paying
tribute to him, Ian Parry, a fellow member of the Cancer Support Group, said: “Mike founded the group nearly 10 years ago and remained as chair
all that time until illness forced him to step down last year.
“He
made it clear that the group existed for all men with prostate problems not
just cancer. All those who attend or have attended meetings of the group are
grateful for the support and friendship it provides which would not have been
the case if Mike had not had the foresight to establish the group all those
years ago.
“There
were about 10 members when the group was first established and now the email
list has grown to over 40 names.
“It
is not just Llangollen men who attend but there are members from Wrexham,
Oswestry, Bala and elsewhere.
“Mike
was able to get all of the urology consultants from Wrexham Maelor Hospital at
some time to come to talk to the group about current and new treatments for
prostate conditions.
“He
was keen to promote and publicise the group and produced information leaflets
and business cards and pens which were issued at various awareness events he
organised and at local surgeries and health centres.
“He
will be sadly missed and the condolences of the group are extended to his wife
Enid.”
Sian
Glynne-Jones, chair of Twenty Club, said: “Mike has been a member of the club
since 1985. He has been very active member up until the last year. Since then, he has continued to support us by
coming along to our performances and helping when he could.
“On
stage he has played many roles, including the mammoth role of Captain
Mainwaring in Dad’s Army and Love on the Dole, where he played man and wife
alongside Enid.
“He
has also directed many plays, and been the Assistant Director or Producer to
support and assist other directors and novice directors. Some of those plays
include Jane Eyre, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Night Must Fall and Murder on
the Nile.
“His
dedication to the club also means that when Mike did not have a key role
directing or on stage, he was happy to do the less prominent, but still
essential, roles of props, backstage or front of house.
“In
addition to his stage work, he has been heavily involved with the running of
the club. He has been both a member of
the Committee and the Chair of the Selection Committee for many years. He was instrumental in the club's staging of
the unknown play Hannay Stands Fast by David Edgar (who also recently passed
away), which was a tremendous success. He was ambitious for the club and
believed we should stage a range of plays, from the very popular to the more
challenging.
“Mike
has also organised many social nights, including the Poem and Pint evenings. He
also wrote his own sketches and plays, including a Murder Mystery performed on
the Llangollen Railway.
“He
had strong belief that the XX Club should help to grow other talent within the
group and locally. This came across both
within the XX Club and other groups he was involved with. He was always very supportive of the club and
its people.
“He
has also been very supportive of me as a Chair of the club and as a business in
town and I thank him for that.
“He
leaves us with many memories, including his ability to ad lib on stage, meaning
that anyone acting a scene with him had to be on their toes and not necessarily
expect to receive the precise cues!
“It
has been sad seeing him become more fragile over the last few years as he is
yet another one of our ‘old hands’ that we have lost within the last couple of
years.
“Thank
you Mike for your continued support and your belief in our society. We hope that those who you have helped to
grow will have many successful years and will go on to help others to grow.”
Gethin
Davies, on behalf of Llangollen Rotary Club, said: “The sudden and unexpected
passing of Mike Law has been a great shock to all who knew him, but
particularly to the members of the Rotary Club of Llangollen.
“Mike
was a most valued member of the club, having joined it over 30 years ago. He had held office as President twice, each
time with marked success. He served on
various committees, chairing the Vocational Service committee while only in his
second year of membership.
“Each
commitment he took on was fulfilled with enthusiasm, flair and good humour. He
took great delight in setting quizzes for the club and invariably presented the
winners with a delightful gift, bought of course at his own expense.
“Mike
was always ready to help and advise new members of the club and his mentoring
was deeply appreciated.
“A
man of the highest principles, he also knew how to enjoy himself and frequently
served as a master of ceremonies at various events, always with great
distinction and humour.
“Mike
was a true proponent of the Rotary motto ‘Service above self’, always ready to
volunteer for any job that needed doing.
In particular, until his health failed, he was an enthusiastic member of
the team of drivers in the Dial-a-Ride organisation, which provides transport
for elderly or disabled people who might otherwise be housebound.
“Everything
that Mike did was done well. He will be
sadly missed by his many friends and particularly by the members of the Rotary
Club of which he was such a distinguished member.”
Mr
Law’s funeral will take place at St Collen’s Church at noon next Thursday,
December 19, and then at Wrexham Crematorium at 1.30pm.
