Michael Heming obituary by Graham Blower

DAVID MICHAEL HEMING

President of Bristol Savages 2019 – 2020 and of Bristol 1904 Arts October 2020 - 27th May 2021.

Many of us will be unaware that our former President Michael ‘Mike’ Heming’s Christian name was in fact David, but he was forever known as Michael in honour of one of his cousins who died in WWII.

Mike was one of our longest serving members, having joined us in 1969. Over the years he had been involved with many aspects of our Society’s life, in his time he had been our Green Feather Representative, Chairman of the GPC, an active member of the “Oilies” classic car group and, after becoming a Red Feather, our President in 2019. Because of the disruption caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, he remained in post for a second year as President of Bristol 1904 Arts, following the Society’s change of name at the 2020 AGM.

The year 2020 was in many ways the most challenging in our Society’s history. Never before, even during the two World Wars, had the Society found it necessary to suspend its regular meetings for more than a few weeks. The Covid 19 pandemic closed the Wigwam meeting hall for the best part of 2020, however Mike continued to work enthusiastically throughout this period towards changing the Society’s direction and its rebranding. This resulted in the establishment of Bristol 1904 Arts as a leading organisation dedicated to the promotion of all forms of art, visual, verbal, and musical

creativity, in an inclusive and entertaining way to provide enjoyment, and to foster friendship amongst its members, partners, guests and the wider community.

Mike Heming was one of a long and distinguished line of Heming family members of our Society –Mike’s brother Chris, sadly also no longer with us, his nephews James, a Blue Feather member, and Tony, who was a member until recently. Also, his father John, a Blue Feather who joined in 1946, and John’s father George, yet another Blue Feather Member who joined in 1906, and George’s brother Percy, who was a well-known opera singer and also a Blue Feather. So, from 1906 to date there has been a Heming member in our Society (in other words for all but the earliest years of our existence).

Mike was born in Bristol in 1943 and grew up in Westbury-on-Trym. He was a boarder at King’s School, Bruton, where he excelled in sports, art and music. He was a grade eight pianist, held the school record for fastest back stroke for several years, and was a very keen and accomplished rugby player.

After leaving school Mike joined the family firm of Brokenbrow’s Wholesale Fish Merchants in St Nicholas Market Bristol, where his working day started at 4am. He remained there until the early nineties when he left to set up his own business, as a fishmonger in Carlton Court in Westbury Village. After a time, he was headhunted by Ross Fish and from there went to the Eastern Business Centre as CEO, where he remained until his retirement.

Mike and his wife Daphne married in 1973 and they moved to the family home in The Crescent Henleaze in 1984. Mike and Daphne loved their classic cars, exploring the countryside, finding great pubs and having adventures together, as well as regular holidays; particular favourites being Malta, the Isles of Scilly and Dunster.

Mike’s three daughters Vicky ,Kate and Michelle, like Daphne, were always supportive of Mike’s many interests and Tom Thorp, partner of Mike’s granddaughter Becky, recently performed as a guest in the Wigwam, playing his saxophone.

Mike’s enduring passions were gardening, specifically his roses, classic cars - firstly his Austin Healey then an Alvis TA14 and finally his Alvis TD21. He enjoyed red wine, about which he taught himself to be very knowledgeable, the Bristol Light Opera Club, for which he was stage manager, lighting designer and of course painting.

Mike will be forever remembered for his kindness, his thoughtfulness and fairness. He was a great listener and always took time with people, showing interest and being supportive. He invariably had a twinkle in his eye and enjoyed life immensely, particularly when it involved good food and fine wine!

One of Mike’s lasting legacies from his time as President is the new bar that was installed in the Wigwam at the end of 2020. Having due regard to Mike’s overall commitment to the Society, his Presidency and the Heming family connection that has been such a part of our Society, the General Purposes Committee decided that the most appropriate name for our new bar was “The Heming Bar.”

Life is never without its challenges, but on learning of his own terminal diagnosis Mike faced his final illness reluctantly but pragmatically and although shockingly swift, it will be a comfort to us all knowing that he did not have to endure months of debilitating disease and painful treatment. Without doubt Mike would appreciate us raising a glass of red wine (or two), in his honour and in thankfulness for all the ways in which he has enriched our lives.

Graham Blower